I read: The Blind Assassin

I like to read and I don't take that lightly. I don't mean that I occasionally pick up a book while on vacation here; I'm talking about never not having a book in progress since I could make my way through a novel. Because of this, it's only natural that I share my reads on occasion since they are one of the things that brings me joy.

Though I couldn't exactly say my recent read of The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood brought me any joy per se, but that's not a critique by any means. 

You can read the blurb on Goodreads I linked you to up there for a more eloquent description of this novel but here's my quick summary: 

A cynical and tired old woman narrates the trials and tribulations of her life in the 1930s and 1940s which is occasionally interrupted by a story about two secret lovers, one of whom is a pulpy science fiction writer who tells the other a sci-fi story called The Blind Assassin throughout the course of their clandestine meetings. These two (three??) seemingly disparate stories eventually intertwine in the most surprising way, in the best slow-burn fashion; you go from being sure of the connection, to unsure, to wildly unsure, to sudden reveal.

Got that? Good.

I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars, highly recommended. I had to stop reading this at work because afterward I'd be super affected by the narraters vaguely negative and cynical tone but that's quite the testament to Atwood's writing ability. I went beyond just enjoying it or not enjoying it. I couldn't help but become fully immersed. 

Prior to this book, I'd only read one of her books, Oryx and Crake (when linking this up, I discovered two more connected books have been written after I read it making it a trilogy I now HAVE TO READ), and it was fantastic. Much more sci-fi. A Handmaid's Tale has been getting a lot of mention lately what with it being made into a show and all but I've been putting off reading it because of all the hype. I'm glad too, because I picked this book up instead and do not regret it one bit.

Ps- I always take any and all book enthusiastic suggestions.