“Every writer is at least two beings: the one who lives, and the one who writes” (Atwood Dustjacket)
As interviewers often say, Margaret Atwood needs no introduction. She is the greatest writer of our time (my opinion and millions of others) and it was a true honour to see her in real life and hear her immensely intellectual and funny musings. By the time you read this, Atwood will have celebrated her 86th birthday on the 18th November. May I wish her the happiest of birthdays and many more years of her creative genius. Atwood is also a fierce champion of free speech, saying truth how it is and says being infamous (in some areas of thought) is something she will take.
In Book of Lives (which I have yet to read in full, only got glimpses to share), it lists 63 works by Atwood. She has spanned all genres, from non-fiction, novels, shorter fiction, poetry to two graphic novels and children’s works. Plus, an unburnable book!
I wrote some notes from the event which I share below-
1- She said the difference between the you who lives and the writer, is the writer is only the writer when writing, but they diverge at the point of sharing memory.
2- When the interviewer said poetry “litters” Atwood’s book, she replied “do you have to say litter?” A very Atwoodonian (my word) sharp retort. She said “sprinkled in a fairylike way would be better.”
3- One person bought 5 books (they are £30 each!!!) and 3 others had 4 each. Atwood is at the point in her career where her books are eagerly awaiting and bought.
4- The pre-event atmosphere was electric, real excitement and a rare sight of people enjoying reading the book before the show. The applause for Atwood was truly thunderous and emotional- she is deeply loved and respected.
As you can see, I was impressed to see fans of all ages so excited to get their copy (alas not signed), and read what they could before the show. The discussion format worked really well, because the first half was questions from the broadcaster Shahidha Bari and the second half asked the audience to use a QR code to send questions. In the ten-minute interval, 150 questions were asked! I asked a question similar to one that was answered. It centred around what we should do to keep a beacon of light in todays world. Atwood said hope is important to hold onto, because it is what gives purpose to everyday, that things will always get better.
I love the quote for this month, “Every writer is at least two beings: the one who lives, and the one who writes,” because it reflects the title of Atwood’s memoir. Atwood said “the one who lives” is the one who interacts with the world and gathers ideas, and “the one who writes” uses these memories gathered, and crafts it into text. Writing is only one part of many identities/lives we can gather and live across a lifetime. Atwood blends her life story to encompass those she has loved and given her the memories that she writes of.
The evening was highly inspiring, magical and a once in a lifetime opportunity to see a monumental figure of writing and humanity. If you say you have read all of Atwood’s work, I assure you have not…
The work she has created and is in the Oslo time capsule, Scribbler Moon, will not be opened or read until 2114. So, we might be waiting a while!!!
Work Cited:
Atwood, Margaret. Book of Lives. 1st Edition. Chatto & Windus. 2025.
Drudi, Cassandra. “Quill & Quire”. Quill & Quire. Date last updated: 11th February 2025. URL: quillandquire.com/omni/Margaret-atwood-to-publish-memoir-in-fall-2025/.