Paperback, 590 pages
French language
Published March 17, 2002 by Laffont Robert.
More than fifty years on, Iris Chase is remembering Laura's mysterious death. And so begins an extraordinary and compelling story of two sisters and their secrets. Set against a panoramic backdrop of twentieth-century history, The Blind Assassin is an epic tale of memory, intrigue and betrayal...
An outstanding portrayal of control and adversity, and freedom of choice as it was perceived from one end of the 20th Century to the other.
This is a very complex book that likely will not be to everyone's taste. I think you have to enjoy Margaret Atwood's writing style to make any head or tail with it. It's basically three stories wrapped into one. The first story is of the Blind Assassin on the planet Zycron as told by the unnamed male protagonist to his lover in the book written by Laura Chase. Right at the start of the book you find out that the author drove a car off a bridge in the 40s and that her book was published post-humously. In flashbacks, you get to read this book, with the pulp science fiction story tied into a love story.
Confused? Well, the third story ties it a bit together. Iris Chase, Laura's sister, describes their youth in the 20s and 30s and their family history, up to Laura's death and beyond, recording it …
This is a very complex book that likely will not be to everyone's taste. I think you have to enjoy Margaret Atwood's writing style to make any head or tail with it. It's basically three stories wrapped into one. The first story is of the Blind Assassin on the planet Zycron as told by the unnamed male protagonist to his lover in the book written by Laura Chase. Right at the start of the book you find out that the author drove a car off a bridge in the 40s and that her book was published post-humously. In flashbacks, you get to read this book, with the pulp science fiction story tied into a love story.
Confused? Well, the third story ties it a bit together. Iris Chase, Laura's sister, describes their youth in the 20s and 30s and their family history, up to Laura's death and beyond, recording it at the end of her life for her granddaughter Sabrina. You find out the truth about Laura's death, and what her book was about. Ultimately there are twists and surprises, though as I read it a 2nd time I was really amazed at how much foreshadowing you get all the time.
Why am I giving this book five stars? For one, I loved the three different story strands. The Blind Assassin parts evoked a sense of desperation and passion, whereas the parts of old Iris telling her story managed to fill me with dread of growing old. The story of the Chase and Griffen families was interesting. Above all, it was beautifully written. I really enjoy Atwood's style.
I would only recommend this to someone who's already read and enjoyed Atwood, or who enjoys historical dramas. I thoroughly enjoyed myself.
