Negotiating With The Dead A Writer On Writing

Description

An ambitious inquiry into the art of writing and an unprecedented insider's view of the writer's universe, from the beloved author of The Handmaid's Tale. What do we mean when we say that someone is a writer? Is he or she an entertainer? An improver of readers' minds and morals? And who, for that matter, are these mysterious readers? In this wise and irresistibly quotable book, one of the most intelligent writers working in English addresses the riddle of her art: why people pursue it, how they view their calling, and what bargains they make with their audience, both real and imagined. To these fascinating issues Booker Prize-winner Margaret Atwood brings a candid appraisal of her own experience as well as a breadth of reading that encompasses everything from Dante to Elmore Leonard.

Reviews

'Juggling well worn subjects which "get murky or pretentious", this is a streetwise, erudite suggestive enquiry into problems and myths of the writer's role. Her light touch on hard thoughts, her humour and eclectic quotations, lend enchantment to an argument that has as many undulating tentacles as a well developed sea anemone.' THE INDEPENDENT 'Her witty, occasionally self-depracating and always ingenious approach is a delight' Culture, SUNDAY TIMES 'A witty and profound rumination about writing' THE TIMES 'A playful, informed and briskly sensible discussion of the writing life.' SUNDAY TELEGRAPH 'A pleasure to read: erudite, talky, with a beady humour.' DAILY TELEGRAPH 'Thought-provoking arguments adroitly stitched together in a patchwork pattern.' THE HERALD 'Highly enjoyable little book' SCOTLAND ON SUNDAY

Author description

Margaret Atwood is the author of more than thirty books of fiction, poetry and critical essays. The Handmaid's Tale, Cat's Eye, Alias Grace were shortlisted for the Booker Prize, The Blind Assassin won in 2001, and she has won many other literary prizes in other countries.