Very good, a significant departure from her earlier two novels. In some ways I think she may have found that particular voice that makes Atwood, well, Atwood. Enjoyed it tremendously.

this is my least favourite margaret atwood book. not bad, but i was expecting more.

Charming, hilarious fun (though this might be one of the more pointedly anti-American ones, which bugs me).

Joan leaves a trail of identities behind her as she runs from man to man and away from herself. As her pasts catch up to her she becomes embroiled in a plot as convoluted as the gothic novels she writes under one of her secret names. Atwood has created such a complex character in Joan, so alive, and elusive. I couldn't wait to see who she would become next, yet was able to feel like I still knew who she was at every turn.

It has been a few days since I finished Lady Oracle. I wanted to sit with the story and think about what I just read as I am torn and baffled. Margaret Atwood is an amazing writer. I am a huge fan. I enjoy sitting with her books, relishing the language, becoming invested in the characters and their stories.

Lady Oracle is another beautifully written novel. The main character, Joan, battles with an identity crisis that defines her throughout the book. The scars from her childhood never fully heal and they travel with her throughout her life. She never develops any deep relationship with anyone, not even herself. She kind of does with her beloved aunt. She loves her and loves being with her, but when I really think about it, not really. Everything with her is superficial and dishonest and pretending to be someone else. Therefore, I never developed any deep feeling for Joan either. She seemed to coast through life, hiding behind numerous facades. Who was she? Was she an utterly broken person?

The novel began wonderfully. I do not want to delve into details and ruin the story. About 3/4 through is when I started having doubts. By the end, my feelings of uncertainty were confirmed. There is no clear conclusion to the story. I turned the pages faster and faster, (a testimonial to the glorious writing of Margaret Atwood), waiting for the climax and expecting some closure, both of which never came. I closed the book and was left with feelings of disappointment, bafflement, and complete annoyance. Then, I ultimately didn't really care because I didn't really care enough about Joan.

So, I am torn and will remain torn -- because I hold Atwood to a higher standard.

There are some Atwood books that I simply adore: The Handmaid's Tale, Oryx & Crake, Alias Grace.
There is one Atwood book I detest: Surfacing.

I neither adored nor detested this book. There were some great bits of dialogue, some wonderfully insightful passages and a thoroughly disatisfying ending. I had so hoped that the end would complete the book. Instead, it left me as adrift as Joan.

And, although it may be ridiculous, I'm irked by such a heroine having red hair. She was no redhead.

This book was a reminder of what drew me to Atwood's writing from the first one of her novels that I read. It was fast-paced, especially towards the end, and it really drew me in. It's cliche to say this, but I couldn't put it down, and didn't want to. I was intrigued by her main character and willingly took the journey through her interesting lives. The last chapter left me slightly confused at first, but overall it was definitely a good read.

I enjoyed reading it but I felt it was a little bit of a mess. I think that was deliberate because the main character is a mess but still. There were plot points left hanging or at least I didn't understand them. Although now that I think about it it could be that much of what happened happened because the main character was drifting into a spiritual/delusional state of fantasy/irrationality. That is what I guess happened. It was less than clear.