Play Book Tag discussion

Fictionalized version of a true story. A woman (Grace) is convicted of a double murder and is sentenced to life in prison (commuted from an initial death sentence).

Most of the story is told as narrated by Grace to a visiting doctor researching early psychology in the 19th century.

I enjoyed the book, lots of twists and turns. But it really dragged on a bit long and by the end of the book I just wanted it to be finished. Not my favorite Atwood book.

(view spoiler)[We never do learn if Grace is innocent or guilty. A case can be made either way and I found myself going back and forth through the book. I love/hate the ambiguity, but have to admit it's a signature of Atwood's writing. (hide spoiler)]

Helpful review. I want to read another Atwood book this year, but I was always iffy on this one. I doubt many more have detective tags. What are your favorites?

All of Atwood's books are weird, dark and generally dystopian.

My favorite from Atwood is The Year of the Flood which is the middle book in the Maddaddam Trilogy. And can certainly be read as a stand-alone, since it has no carry-over from the first book in the series. It's the third book that pulls all the threads from the first two together.

The first book in the trilogy might be one of her weirdest books of all Oryx and Crake. I gave it 5 stars, but wouldn't suggest reading as your first book from Atwood.

I also loved The Handmaid's Tale which I read when I first came out, and then re-read before watching the recent mini-series. The mini-series was an excellent portrayal of the book.

If you're not into the dark and scary stuff, The Heart Goes Last might be one of her "lighter" books and a little more relatable. I liked it, but it generally mixed reviews - people either loved it or hated it. And The Blind Assassin is one of her less eccentric books and a lot less dark.

And just to add, I'm not certain but I don't think any of her other books are tagged detective.

I can also recommend: Cat's Eye