The story, so far Nov 19, 2009
Yes, that was the novelist Margaret Atwood, every bit alive, just like the Nobel Prize-winning poet Derek Walcott, the essayist and performer Garrison Keillor, the novelists Russell Banks and Toni Morrison. They were here, too, though the more relevant issue might be when they're coming back. (Albany Times Union)
Journalist wins award for literature Nov 15, 2009
Past winners have included Margaret Atwood, Mordecai Richler and Alice Munro. The judges this year included Canadian novelist Alistair MacLeod, U.S. novelist Russell Banks and British biographer Victoria Glendinning. (Athens Banner-Herald)
Retailers hopeful for the holidays Nov 15, 2009
"Tutone said she has the opposite and pleasant problem "of finding room" for the inventory at her stores because of the types of niche products she carries.ICSC and Goldman Sachs' 2009 Holiday Spending Survey found that U.S. consumers plan to spend about $543 during this year's holiday season on gifts, with another $133 on gift cards. Consumers expect to spend more this year on gift purchases than last year, but less on gift cards.And more shoppers than ever are expected to hit stores on Black... (Seacoast New Hampshire)
Imperfect future for sci-fi tale Nov 13, 2009
Unfortunately, Healy isn't Margaret Atwood, who seems to be an inspiration here and proved a master of dystopian fiction in the likes of "The Handmaid's Tale." The play devolves into a baffling hot mess burdened by too many senseless elements -- and sci-fi should follow an internal logic ... Unfortunately, Healy isn't Margaret Atwood, who seems to be an inspiration here and proved a master of dystopian fiction in the likes of "The Handmaid's Tale." The play devolves into a baffling hot mess... (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Linden MacIntyre wins Canadian literature award Nov 11, 2009
Past winners have included Margaret Atwood, Mordecai Richler and Alice Munro. Competing against MacIntyre were Kim Echlin for "The Disappeared," Annabel Lon for "The Golden Mean," Colin McAdam for "Fall" and Anne Michaels for "The Winter Vault.". (San Francisco Chronicle -- Science)
Miami Book Fair Is Recession-Proof Nov 7, 2009
And once again, organizers have amassed a list of acclaimed writers to give readings - Margaret Atwood, Barbara Kingsolver and Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk among them. Never mind that this book fair has had to make do with cutbacks and state and county funding. (CBS News)
'Da Vinci Code' Publisher Changes Jobs Oct 28, 2009
Rubin also worked with Ian McEwan, Margaret Atwood and other, more literary authors. Holt has released such popular books as Barbara Ehrenreich's "Nickel and Dimed," but is better known for publishing more low-profile, literary titles, a direction Macmillan CEO John Sargent says will change. (KIRO TV, WA)
Author signings and readings in Greater Boston, Oct. 25-31 Oct 25, 2009
TODAY: Margaret Atwood discusses The Year of the Flood, at 7 p.m., First Parish Church, 3 Church St., Cambridge; tickets ($25) available online at ; at Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass. Ave.; or by calling 617-661-1515. (Boston Globe)
Buffalo Pierce Arrow museum creates Hall of Fame Oct 23, 2009
AP Photo - This 1909 photo released by the Buffalo Transportation Pierce Arrow Museum shows Alice Ramsey driving a 1909 Maxwell automobile with Nettie Powell, Margaret Atwood and Hermine Jahns on their route between New York and San Francisco. Bad roads, bad weather, flat tires, breakdowns. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Matt Cohen Award Winner Announced Oct 20, 2009
Canadian novelists Margaret Atwood, Roddy Doyle, Alistair MacLeod and Paul Gross are expected to speak and Quarrington s band Porkbelly Futures will perform during the event. About the Matt Cohen Award. (Suite101.com)
Margaret Atwood: Year of the Flood Oct 11, 2009
Margaret Atwood: Year of the Flood. Margaret Atwood: Year of the Flood ... Margaret Atwood has been looking into the future for the last 30 years. (Suite101.com)
Library corner 10-10 Oct 9, 2009
For adults: ;The Christmas List; by Richard Paul Evans; ;The Book of Illumination; by Mary Ann Winkowski and Maureen Foley; ;Her Fearful Symmetry; by Audrey Niffenegger; ;Evidence; by Jonathan Kellerman; ;Once in a Blue Moon; by Eileen Goudge; ;The Year of the Flood; by Margaret Atwood; ;Whistlin; Dixie in a Nor;easter; by Lisa Patton; ;Home; by Marilynne Robinson; ;Hothouse Orchid; by Stuart Woods; ;The Murder of King Tut; by James Patterson and ;The Time of My Life; by Patrick Swayze and Lisa... (Princeton Bureau County Republican, IL)
Romanian-born writer wins Nobel for literature Oct 9, 2009
Canada is home to at least three of the world's most respected authors: Margaret Atwood, Alice Munro and Michael Ondaatje. But the last Canadian to receive the Nobel was Saul Bellow, who won in 1976 and left for the U.S. as a boy. (AZCentral -- News)
People Meter: Street-corner poetry slam Oct 7, 2009
Trey Bundy, Special to The Chronicle. Tuesday, October 6, 2009. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
San Francisco Chronicle Best-Sellers Oct 1 / Oct 5, 2009
THE YEAR OF THE FLOOD, A Novel, by Margaret Atwood (Nan A. Talese; 448 pages; $26. 95). (San Francisco Chronicle)
Nobel guessing game at fever pitch Oct 5, 2009
Other writers who regularly pop up in the Nobel speculation are Canadian author Margaret Atwood, US novelists Philip Roth and Joyce Carol Oates, and Algerian French-language writer Assia Djebar. For the science prizes -- medicine, physics, chemistry and economics, to be announced October 5, 6, 7 and 12 respectively -- American researchers have dominated the list of winners in the post-war period. (Yahoo! Asia News)
Literature: A reader’s feast, but why? Sep 23, 2009
But so too are Alice Munro, William Trevor, Margaret Atwood, and Anne Tyler, to say nothing of notables like Jonathan Lethem and Lorrie Moore. Even rabid readers should have ample diversion during the long, cold months to come. (Boston Globe)
* Hardcover: US: Earths soul, up for grabs Sep 20, 2009
Margaret Atwood leaves the preaching at the door for The Year of the Flood, a post-apocalyptic vision of a ravaged planet ... The flood referred to by the title of Margaret Atwoods new novel isnt the biblical deluge, sent by God to wipe out wickedness and sin, but a waterless one: an uncommon pandemic that cannot be contained by biotools and bleach, and that sweeps through the air as if on wings, burning through cities like fire, spreading germ-ridden mobs, terror and butchery.... (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World Business)
Fall feast for fiction lovers Sep 13, 2009
Authors releasing books this month include Lorrie Moore, William Trevor, Margaret Atwood, Nicholson Baker, Joyce Carol Oates, and Anne Tyler. Alice Munro, Jonathan Lethem, Philip Roth, and the late Kurt Vonnegut have new titles coming soon, too. (Boston Globe)
Leaves and pages turn in the fall books preview Sep 7, 2009
Among the heavy hitters with novels due for release are Margaret Atwood, A.S. Byatt, John Irving, Stephen King and a fellow named Dan Brown ... by Margaret Atwood (Nan A. Talese). (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Former First Lady Laura Bush Announces the Blockbuster Author Line-Up for the 2009 Texas Book Festival Sep 4, 2009
Headlining authors include Buzz Aldrin, Margaret Atwood, Jimmy Santiago Baca, Bryan Burrough, Jeanette Walls, Jonathan Safran Foer, and Taylor Branch. The TBF is pleased to honor best selling children's writer and San Antonio resident, Rick Riordan with the Bookend Award for his Percy Jackson & the Olympians series, concluded this year with Volume 5, The Last Olympian. (PR Newswire)
Former First Lady Reveals Texas Book Festival Lineup Sep 4, 2009
DALLAS (September 3, 2009)--Former First Lady Laura Bush Thursday announced the lineup for this year's Texas Book Festival, which will feature more than 200 authors, including Buzz Aldrin, Margaret Atwood, Jeanette Walls and Jonathan Safran Foer. Making the announcement from the backyard of her sprawling Dallas ranch house, Bush, founder and honorary chair of the event, said that one of the best things about being back in Texas is being part of the festival, which will be held at the State... (KWTX.com, TX)
Vancouver International Writer's Fe... Aug 24, 2009
Founded by Alma Lee, the festival has hosted a whole literary world of authors from Canadian greats such as Margaret Atwood and Alice Munro to international literary geniuses including JK Rowling and Frank McCourt. Under the leadership of Hal Wake, the 2009 Vancouver International Writer s Festival promises to deliver yet another successful year. (Suite101.com)
Margaret Atwood's Book Tour Extrava... Aug 24, 2009
Margaret Atwood's Book Tour Extravaganza. Margaret Atwood's Book Tour Extravaganza ... Canadian literary great Margaret Atwood will set out on a book tour like no other to promote her latest novel The Year of the Flood. (Suite101.com)
Andrew Knowles, Digital Equipment Corp. leader and UMass booster, helped usher in computer age Aug 4, 2009
Mr. Knowles and his wife also supported the university s Troy Lecture Series, which brought poet Seamus Heaney and novelists Margaret Atwood and Salmon Rushdie to campus. In addition to his wife, Mary Ann, Mr. Knowles leaves his sister, Barbara Brown of Longmeadow; a niece, a nephew, and a great-nephew. (Boston Globe)
Annan, Blair top UB Speaker Series Jul 8, 2009
In addition to Annan and Blair, the lineup also features bestselling author, television personality and astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson; political satirist Bill Maher; distinguished novelist and poet Margaret Atwood; Los Angeles Times columnist and author Steve Lopez; and provocative American intellectual, author and champion for racial justice, Cornel West. This year s series of speakers will make us read, make us think, make us care and perhaps even make us laugh, said Dennis Black, vice... (Buffalo Business First, NY)
Gender Stereotypes in Bluebeard's E... Jul 6, 2009
In her adaptation of Fitcher's Bird, Margaret Atwood uses various fairy tale elements to explore different gender stereotypes. Not only does Atwood explore the traditional stereotypes as they apply to men and women, but in some instances reverses the roles of the sexes, breaking from the conventions of what is expected of males and females, especially in relation to the other. (Suite101.com)
Date Lines: News from the Bay Area arts scene Jun 18, 2009
The 29th annual literary events series, which benefits the 826 Valencia college scholarship program, begins with David Byrne on Sept. 29, and continues with Margaret Atwood hosting an evening of music and performance on Oct. 6. Also on the schedule: Nick Hornby, Oct. 8; Oates, Oct. 19; A.S. Byatt, Oct. 26; Jonathan Lethem, Oct. 28; Chabon talking with Adam Gopnik, Nov. 9; Barbara Kingsolver, Nov. 17; and Zoe Heller, Dec. 2. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Recommended summer reads Jun 16, 2009
"The Handmaid's Tale," by Margaret Atwood (1985). This book (like Orwell's "1984," which I also highly recommend) is a great read, with beautiful language and three-dimensional characters; while set in a speculative future, it has chilling parallels with real history, both past and present, and so provides insight regarding the slippery slope into extreme fundamentalism. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
Neil Young, 2,000 Guitars, Cirque du Soleil Pack Toronto Luminato Festival Jun 5, 2009
Authors including Booker Prize-winning novelist Margaret Atwood and Ann-Marie MacDonald will host Gothic Toronto, a discussion of the citys macabre writing history. Science- fiction and fantasy writer will host the first Canadian reading of his novel The Graveyard Book on June 8. (Bloomberg -- Canada)
Wayson Choy is taking readers' questions May 12, 2009
Jade Peony won the Trillium Book Award in 1996 (a prize he shared that year with Margaret Atwood). I know I am a writer because until I'm writing I don't know what I know, he told Sarah Hampson. (Globe and Mail)
Web helps nastiness rise to new levels May 9, 2009
The renowned Canadian author, Margaret Atwood, 69, gives a chilling account in her book Cat's Eye of being bullied by her two "best friends" more than 55 years ago. But new technology enables girls to be even meaner, Australia's foremost expert on cyber bullying says. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Technology)
Globe wins pair of major awards, is among finalists for a third May 8, 2009
He beat out a number of notable Canadians among the finalists for the $20,000 prize, including Margaret Atwood, Peter C. Newman, Kenneth Whyte and Ted Rogers, who wrote with Robert Brehl. Mr. Pitts, who was also nominated for his four previous books, received the award in Toronto yesterday and praised his fellow finalists. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Globe's Pitts wins National Business Book Award May 8, 2009
Other authors that were nominated included the late Ted Rogers for his autobiography, renowned novelist Margaret Atwood, Peter C. Newman, and Kenneth Whyte, the editor of Maclean's magazine. Ms. Atwood was nominated for Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth; Mr. Newman for Izzy: The Passionate Life and Turbulent Times of Izzy Asper, Canada's Media Mogul; Mr. Rogers, with business writer Robert Brehl, for Relentless: The True Story of the Man behind Rogers Communications; and Mr. Whyte for... (Globe and Mail)
Atwood rallies anti-Tory votes by backing Bloc May 8, 2009
TORONTO, EDMUNSTON, N.B., MONTREAL In the latest chapter of Canada's culture war, author Margaret Atwood led the applause for Bloc Qu ... Canadian author Margaret Atwood speaks during a press conference in 2006. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
The price and worth of a degree May 5, 2009
A cheerier, but still sobering, assessment of a liberal arts education was offered by novelist Margaret Atwood to University of Toronto students in 1983 who, like today s graduates, were stepping into a depressed economy and a tense world stage. As you will soon discover, a liberal arts education doesn t exactly prepare you for life, she told the assemblage. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution -- Opinion)
Get me Tolstoy. On my cell. Right now! Apr 28, 2009
Margaret Atwood readers are less likely to file-share than Nickelback fans for reasons of age, gender, education and income. And unlike newspapers, book publishers never gave stuff away for free in the first place. (Globe and Mail -- Technology)
Afghan war debate filtered through lens of women's rights Apr 18, 2009
That point is academic to Margaret Atwood for the simple reason that we are already on the ground. It is easy to march into Afghanistan and hard to march out, she said, quoting Alexander the Great. (Globe and Mail)
Don't ask Anne Michaels what she had for breakfast Apr 4, 2009
Circumspection and avoidance of any pretense of "ironic accommodation" la Margaret Atwood. Check. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Birthday beat Mar 28, 2009
e.e. cummings, John F. Kennedy, Margaret Atwood, Yo-Yo Ma, Peter Sellers, and Franklin Roosevelt all walked the street, Parks wrote, and "by changing its name, you change their history, as well." The Cambridge Historical Commission agreed, asking the city to simply commemorate Plympton Street between Mass. Avenue and Bow Street in Halberstam's name. (Boston Globe)
Pretzel Logic Mar 24, 2009
And a stern nurse implements mysterious medical testing out of a Margaret Atwood dystopia. But all these strands stubbornly refuse to coalesce into a coherent whole. (New York Post -- Entertainment)
Literary egos, lost loves and lots of ‘sexy bits' Mar 21, 2009
Deutsch, where her stable included Mordecai Richler, John Updike, Margaret Atwood and V.S. Naipaul. For almost 50 years, Athill coaxed and soothed egos, cosseting Naipaul till she couldn't take it any more; befriending a tormented Jean Rhys; getting caught in the middle of Brian Moore's marriage breakup. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Getting the Luminato ball rolling Mar 19, 2009
The darkly fantastical tales by Ann-Marie MacDonald, Michelle Wan, Andrew Pyper, Cherie Dimaline, Nalo Hopkinson and Tasleem Thalwar have been assembled in a special chapbook with a foreword by Margaret Atwood. Their reading is part of a gothic theme at this year's festival, celebrating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Edgar Allan Poe. (Globe and Mail)
Meet the new era, same as the old era Mar 18, 2009
I doubt that Duceppe could name three books by Margaret Atwood, or if any of the leaders could name three short stories by Gregory Clarke (or know who Gregory Clarke is. . (Globe and Mail)
American and Brit named to Giller jury Mar 17, 2009
That instalment, for the first time since the Giller's creation in 1994, had a non-Canadian, Irish novelist/short-story writer Colm Toibin, as a judge along with Canadians Margaret Atwood and Bob Rae. They named Joseph Boyden's second novel, Through Black Spruce, the winner a book that has since been on the nation's bestseller lists for four consecutive months. (Globe and Mail)
"Miss March" Mar 13, 2009
In the old days -- not, alas, today -- you could read the likes of Truman Capote, Margaret Atwood, Isaac Bashevis Singer and Marshall McLuhan in the pages of "Playboy." Hefner himself has said that if it weren't for the girls, he'd be remembered as the editor of a literary magazine. You may be asking: Why beat up on "Miss March," a relatively small picture (it's being released by Fox Atomic, a division of Fox Searchlight) that isn't likely to become a bazonga hit like "Paul Blart". (Salon)
A new ethos for the still-endangered Walrus Feb 28, 2009
(A crystal decanter filled with five predictions hand-written by Margaret Atwood was auctioned for $7,000. . (Globe and Mail)
Atwood retracts censure of Dubai festival Feb 24, 2009
Margaret Atwood, the doyenne of literary festivals, issued a mea culpa over the weekend explaining that she may have been too hasty in cancelling her appearance at a Dubai festival this week and declaring that a British novelist had been censored before fully understanding all the facts ... Margaret Atwood: 'This was a case for Anti-Censorship Woman. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Boycotts are weapons to be used with care Feb 24, 2009
It's a motto that Margaret Atwood would have done well to follow. Instead, one of Canada's greatest literary icons found herself briskly backtracking after announcing she would boycott the Dubai Literary Festival on Feb. 28. (The Gazette (Montreal))
Girls will be boys — and risk jail Feb 23, 2009
An uproar over homosexuality in literature this week prompted Margaret Atwood to cancel her visit to the Persian Gulf ... " In the Persian Gulf region, boyah is a term traditionally used for a tomboy (boyat for tomboys), but the phenomenon has become increasingly controversial in the past year. The ranks of the boyat have risen notably since the creation of dedicated Facebook groups attracted hundreds of "friends" within weeks. Now, targeted as socially undesirable and often shunned as "confused... (Globe and Mail -- International)
Latest Flaps Call Dubai's Tolerance Into Question Feb 22, 2009
In protest, best-selling Canadian author Margaret Atwood cancelled plans to attend the festival, which begins next week. American Frank McCourt _ one of more than 50 writers scheduled to attend _ said he was shaken by the book's rejection. (CBS News -- World)
Duffy, Leonard Cohen, Rihanna Feb 21, 2009
The Canadian author Margaret Atwood has pulled out of an international Dubai literary festival after organizers banned a forthcoming novel by a British author because it contains references to homosexuality. "The Gulf Between Us," by Geraldine Bedell, set in the Gulf, is scheduled to be published in April. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Israeli Ram gets visa for Dubai Championships Feb 20, 2009
Canadian author Margaret Atwood also announced this week that she was pulling out of next week's Dubai literary festival because organizers banned a novel by a British author that references homosexuality. Larry Scott, the head of the Women's Tennis Association, told The Associated Press that the Emirates has guaranteed him that Peer would be allowed to participate in the tournament next year. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Jury gets tour of Spector home Feb 20, 2009
Author Atwood a no-show in Dubai Canadian author Margaret Atwood has pulled out of a Dubai literary festival after organizers banned a forthcoming novel by a British author because it contains references to homosexuality. In a letter addressed to the festival's director, Atwood said she could not attend Dubai's inaugural International Festival of Literature next week because of the "regrettable turn of events surrounding" the book "The Gulf Between Us," a novel by Geraldine Bedell that is set in... (Boston Globe)
Board to review Atwood novel Feb 19, 2009
But thats what happened when Robert Edwards perused his 17-year-old sons copy of Margaret Atwoods The Handmaids Tale assigned reading for his grade 12 English class at Lawrence Park Collegiate ... The book is considered an iconic piece of Canadian literature, and though Margaret Atwood has refused to comment publicly on Edwards concerns, her spokesperson said the authors general views on the topic are available on her website ... Im not looking to ban Margaret Atwoods book, but if I... (Toronto Town Crier Newspapers)
Author banned from Dubai literary festival Feb 17, 2009
1, has authors including Margaret Atwood, Louis de Bernieres and Jung Chang listed on the program. Geraldine Bedell, a journalist for the Observer newspaper and the author of several previous novels, said organizers had been discussing launching her book, "The Gulf Between Us," which is set in the Gulf, at the festival. (MSNBC -- Lifestyle)
He had a literary dream; she made it her mission Feb 9, 2009
She started to canvas a range of friends, acquaintances and relatives among them, Taylor's sister and former Montreal bookseller Judith Mappin, Margaret Atwood, Giller Prize organizer David Staines, and June Callwood about her husband's vision. By February, 1999, after considerable research, she had a plan in hand for its realization. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Publish, and your book will probably perish Feb 7, 2009
Joked Margaret Atwood during a recent interview: "The term 'relentless self-promoter' used to be an insult in publishing circles. Now it will be a necessity.". For the many writers who lack "a little Barnum" in their bones, what they see as an abdication of responsibility by publishers is not good news. (Globe and Mail)
