Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.
Margaret Atwood has been especially prominent in the literary news cycle this past week, propelled by the October 8 release of her latest work, Paper Boat: New and Selected Poems: 1961-2023. She promoted the collection with a candid appearance on NPR’s Wild Card podcast, discussing existential themes, her approach to death, and the realities of aging. During the interview, Atwood shared she’s not afraid of being dead, but is concerned about the indignities that may precede it, referencing a history of hospitalizations and difficult care home experiences. Notably, she admitted to planning her own funeral as if it were an event, likening it to her skills organizing lively birthday parties. Atwood reflected on loss and grief, addressing how she became a confidant to widows after her partner Graeme Gibson’s passing in 2019, and offered advice to young writers: with success will come sharp criticism and divided friendships, but perseverance is essential according to NPR and People Magazine.
This week also aligns with Banned Books Week, now called Freedom to Read Week, running October 5 to 11, where Atwood’s name has appeared frequently. Her most famous novel, The Handmaid’s Tale, is still at the heart of conversations about censorship. As reported by The New York Society Library and We Are Stronger Than Censorship, Atwood is slated to attend the Eleanor Roosevelt Banned Books Awards on October 11 in Poughkeepsie, joining other high-profile authors who champion literary freedom. Her public support of anti-censorship initiatives continues to resonate widely.
Margaret Atwood has been particularly vocal regarding Alberta’s recent school library bans. In recent social media posts and a feature noted by Daily Kos and Global News, Atwood playfully mocked the new restrictions by penning a satirical story for teenagers— lampooning the sanitized standards now required. She sarcastically described two “very, very good children” who never displayed any natural human behavior, highlighting the absurdity of such censorship. This witty protest again spotlights Atwood’s unwavering stance on free speech and intellectual liberty.
Book clubs and libraries nationwide are highlighting The Handmaid’s Tale this week. Marquette University is hosting a reading and discussion event on October 27, underlining the continued relevance of Atwood’s work and its enduring power to prompt debate according to Marquette Today.
On social media, a quote attributed to Atwood—“Messy love is better than none, I guess. I’m no authority on sane living”—circulated widely, sparking reflection among fans and appearing in posts as recent as October 6, according to Threads.
Her advocacy, wit, and creative output are once again front and center, reaffirming Margaret Atwood’s significance in public life and the literary world. That’s it for today’s Margaret Atwood Biography Flash—thanks for listening, and be sure to subscribe to never miss an update on Margaret Atwood. If you’re craving more fascinating biographies, search “Biography Flash” for the next episode.
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