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The Blind Assassin

The Blind Assassin

Historical FictionLiterary Fiction
Pages
656
Published
2000
Language
English

Synopsis

Decades after her sister Laura's death, Iris Chase begins to recount their shared past, a story filled with secrets and intrigue. Set against the backdrop of 20th-century history, this novel explores themes of memory, betrayal, and the complex relationship between two sisters. It's a tale that questions the nature of truth and the stories we tell ourselves.

Prose complexity
7/10

Vibe

ComplexReflectiveEmotionalThought-Provoking
BetrayalUnreliable NarratorDual TimelineSecret Identity

Genres

Historical Fiction Literary Fiction Mystery Science Fiction

About the author

M
Margaret Atwood

Margaret Eleanor Atwood is a Canadian novelist, poet, essayist and literary critic. Born in Ottawa, Ontario, on 18 November 1939, she has written more than fifty books of fiction, poetry, criticism and graphic work, published in more than forty-five countries. Her novels include The Handmaid's Tale (1985), which won the Governor General's Award and the Arthur C. Clarke Award and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize, and its sequel The Testaments (2019), a joint winner of the Booker Prize. She h...

Characters

Iris ChaseProtagonist
Richard GriffenAntagonist

Wealthy Toronto industrialist who marries Iris; his cruelty and betrayal drive much of the novel's tragedy.

Winifred Griffen PriorAntagonist

Richard's cruel, controlling socialite sister who manipulates the Chase sisters' lives.

Laura ChaseSupporting
Alex Thomas (The Blind Assassin)Supporting

Radical union organizer and pulp science-fiction writer; Laura's lover and the true author of the embedded novel.

All characters in The Blind Assassin

Frequently asked questions

  • Does The Blind Assassin have a non-linear narrative?

    The novel employs a complex, layered structure, weaving together multiple narratives and timelines. Readers will encounter a story within a story, as well as excerpts from a fictional novel and newspaper clippings, all contributing to the overall mystery.

  • Did The Blind Assassin win any major awards?

    The Blind Assassin was awarded the Booker Prize in 2000, recognizing its literary merit and Atwood's intricate storytelling.

  • How does The Blind Assassin relate to Margaret Atwood's other works?

    While a standalone novel, The Blind Assassin shares Atwood's characteristic exploration of memory, power dynamics, and the role of women in society, themes that resonate across much of her acclaimed bibliography.

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