The Heart Goes Last

A Novel

By: Margaret Atwood

Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell, Mark Deakins

Margaret Atwood puts the human heart to the ultimate test in an utterly brilliant new novel that is as visionary as The Handmaid's Tale and as richly imagined as The Blind Assassin.

Stan and Charmaine are a married couple trying to stay afloat in the midst of an economic and social collapse. Job loss has forced them to live in their car, leaving them vulnerable to roving gangs. They desperately need to turn their situation around—and fast. The Positron Project in the town of Consilience seems to be the answer to their prayers. No one is unemployed and everyone gets a comfortable, clean house to live in . . . for six months out of the year. On alternating months, residents of Consilience must leave their homes and function as inmates in the Positron prison system. Once their month of service in the prison is completed, they can return to their "civilian" homes.
At first, this doesn't seem like too much of a sacrifice to make in order to have a roof over one's head and food to eat. But when Charmaine becomes romantically involved with the man who lives in their house during the months when she and Stan are in the prison, a series of troubling events unfolds, putting Stan's life in danger. With each passing day, Positron looks less like a prayer answered and more like a chilling prophecy fulfilled.

Dark Humor and Dystopian Musings

Choosing a Margaret Atwood novel, one always knows that human nature will be examined and dissected in all it's darker corners. What was unexpected was the humor, the cultural references, and the preeminence of plot in this story. Told through the experiences of it's two main characters, the clueless Pollyanna like wife, Charmaine, and the dissatisfied catastrophizing husband, Stan, the story follows their journey from destitute car dwellers, to an ostensible utopian community, which becomes more horrific as the novel unfolds. The narrators were fabulous, taking on, not just multiple character voices, but the tone of their attitudes and most private thoughts.  The writing, however was not as rich in imagery and language as other Atwood novels, but it's realistic quality suited the characters and fast moving plotline. Overall, I'd give it a C+, not compelling enough for a 4 star recommendation, but, as an examination of free will, extreme capitalism, and the consequences of individual choices and desires, it's worth a listen 

Great listen!!

The story was A great listen filled with humor of every kind. I loved the narration and the surprise "gift" to the main character at the end:0)

Another great Atwood novel

Wonderful narration and great plot twists. I enjoyed every minute of this audio book!

3.5 Stars

Probably a 3.5 star for me. It was entertaining, but not something that will stay with me for long.

Great book

Great book except in chapter 5 theres a huge plot mistake. Stan and Charmaine have just been at their house for a month and are supposed to be returning to the prison, but in that same chapter they said Stan was guna be late checking into prison but yet his wife Charmaine is going to be there another month longer and was waiting to check out. plot mistake but otherthan that I like it