I’ve been a big fan of Margaret Atwood’s work for years. Somehow this 2002 collection of Atwood’s speeches on writing slipped past my radar. Atwood believes “that not just some, but all writing of the narrative kind, and perhaps all writing, is motivated deep down, by a fear of and a fascination with mortality–by a desire to make the risky trip to the Underworld, and to bring something or someone back from the dead.” Atwood argues her case with wonderful examples from her writers: Borges, Connolly, Davies, Graham Green, Kafka, D. H. Lawrence, Alice Munro, George Orwell, Adrienne Rich, and Eudora Welty. If you’re in the mood for a personal survey of the creative process, I highly recommend Negotiating With the Dead. GRADE: A
I missed this too. Have to see if my library or WSU library has it.
Everything Atwood writes is worth reading, Patti. This book will stay with you long after you finish it.
Interesting. Sounds like one to look for. My library system has three copies.
Atwood has plenty to say in this book, Jeff. You would enjoy it.
Ar we supposed to believe that Mike Avallone was making a spiritual trip to the Underworld?
There are exceptions to every rule, Dan.
All art is what we leave for those after us, as well as put up for the attention of those around us…and certainly some kinds of fiction are directly involved with death, and its avoidance, particularly horror and suspense…shall have to take a look. Hoping for relatively few space squid comments.
Atwood has an unusual take on the writing process, Todd. NEGOTIATING WITH THE DEAD will stimulate a lot of thinking!