Book of Lives

A Memoir of Sorts

By: Margaret Atwood

Narrated by: Margaret Atwood

How does one of the greatest storytellers of our time write her own life? The long-awaited memoir from the author of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments, one of our most lauded and influential cultural figures.

‘Every writer is at least two beings: the one who lives, and the one who writes. Though everything written must have passed through their minds, or mind, they are not the same.’

Raised by ruggedly independent, scientifically minded parents – entomologist father, dietician mother – Atwood spent most of each year in the wild forest of northern Quebec. This childhood was unfettered and nomadic, sometimes isolated (on her eighth birthday: 'It sounds forlorn. It was forlorn. It gets more forlorn.’), but also thrilling and beautiful.

From this unconventional start, Atwood unfolds the story of her life, linking seminal moments to the books that have shaped our literary landscape, from the cruel year that spawned Cat’s Eye to the Orwellian 1980s Berlin where she wrote The Handmaid’s Tale. In pages bursting with bohemian gatherings, her magical life with the wildly charismatic writer Graeme Gibson and major political turning points, we meet poets, bears, Hollywood actors and larger-than-life characters straight from the pages of an Atwood novel.

As we travel with her along the course of her life, more and more is revealed about her writing, the connections between real life and art – and the workings of one of our greatest imaginations.


* This audiobook edition includes a downloadable PDF containing images and drawings from the book.

Critic reviews

A MOST ANTICIPATED BOOK OF THE YEAR FROM THE NEW YORK TIMES, THE WASHINGTON POST, THE CHIGACO TRIBUNE, TIME MAGAZINE, PEOPLE, NEW YORK MAGAZINE, GOODREADS, LITHUB, AND MORE

“The most spectacular, hilarious, and generous autobiography of the last quarter century–or ever.”
—Leigh Haber, The Boston Globe

“Atwood's long-awaited memoir covers her arc to becoming one of the leading voices of modern literature.”
—New York Magazine

“Charming, interesting and witty . . . Packed with dishy tales . . . Scintillating portraits of major and minor characters are one of Atwood’s specialties.”
—Marion Winik, The Minnesota Star Tribune

“Luminous prose, a palpable lust for life, and an invaluable glimpse into the mind of a literary giant make this a must-read.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Engaging, wise, and marvelously witty—illuminating both the craft of writing and the art of living.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

“Virtuoso, protean, forthright, and astute . . . Atwood is one of the world’s most significant writers and her capacious memoir deeply illuminates her life and work. . . . Encompassing, surprising, and entertaining . . . Electric with portraits of family, friends, beaux, and foes . . . A keystone source for biographers and scholars while delighting and enlightening readers curious about [her] life.”
—Donna Seaman, Booklist (starred review)

Interesting and laugh out loud funny

Starts a bit slow to gather you in close then picks up speed the whole ride. Thank you Peggy for sharing so much with readers.

I hope I never recover

Beautiful. A rollercoaster of feels. At times, I laughed out loud. At times, I shed a few tears, but mostly what I felt was nostalgia. Thinking back on my own childhood and life - Thinking of my wonderful father who passed from dementia last year, motherhood, men, relationships, and just being a 52 year old woman in today’s world. I miss the wisdom of my Italian grandmother-in-law who passed at 98. This book felt like sitting with her again in her basement kitchen while she whipped up something fabulous for all of us to eat. Hearing her stories about sneaking pants out of the house so her father wouldn’t see. He’d find her on the baseball field playing with the boys and wearing the pants. Her brothers would be punished for not keeping a closer eye on their sister. Her stories of raising a disabled child and traveling by train all over the country to get him the best care possible. Her decision to go to college, to marry, and the crushing depression that resulted from becoming a young widow. Her resilience while pulling herself out of that depression. My children were lucky enough to grow up in the home right next to hers. I miss walking over and just sitting with her and learning from her. So yes, what I mostly felt while listening to this book was nostalgia and an immense sense of gratitude for writers who can take you back to that place every now and then.

This was an absolutely fascinating narration of an absolutely fascinating life and body of work.

I enjoyed all the stories of all the people, places, and experiences in the life of this gifted woman. I am familiar with much of her work, so getting to know her from her own chosen memories, anecdotes, and her particular point of view was captivating,

Truly a book of lives

As reader you get to experience decades of her and other lives and it helps to place Atwood in her times, her stories and the lives of others. I feel like I learned a lot about real life events as well as the fabric of her stories.

Brilliant author wise wisdom!

It is perfection! Atwood tells all..a treasure for friends and fans alike! Fantastic life wisdom here!