Margaret Atwood on Age, Writing, and Influence
Atwood spoke from a bustling downtown Toronto café, her presence unnoticed despite being Canada’s most famous writer. At 85, petite and dressed in dark clothes with a hat concealing her white, curly hair, she chose the terrace on a sunny autumn day to discuss her long-awaited memoirs quietly and with her usual sharp irony.
On Writing Memoirs
Initially skeptical about the value of memoirs, Atwood doubted anyone would find interest in the mundane process of writing. She questioned,
“Who wants to read the story of someone sitting at a desk wrestling with a blank page?”and remarked,
“It’s boring enough to die of boredom.”Yet she eventually completed them, reflecting on her life and career.
Themes and Reflections
- Atwood touched on contemporary topics including Donald Trump and the continued relevance of her novel The Handmaid’s Tale.
- She also explored Canadian literature and thoughts on mortality with her characteristic wit and insight.
On Older Women
Atwood expressed a critical view of societal roles for aging women, stating they are often limited to narrow stereotypes:
“Older women are only allowed to be two things: wise old women or wicked old witches.”
Author’s Summary
Margaret Atwood reflects on aging, writing, and cultural impact through candid memoirs, challenging societal stereotypes with irony and wisdom.