The Edible Woman

By: Margaret Atwood

Narrated by: Lorelei King

Length: 9 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

Marian is determined to be ordinary. She lays her head gently on the shoulder of her serious fiancee and quietly awaits marriage. But she didn't count on an inner rebellion that would rock her stable routine, and her digestion. Marriage a la mode, Marian discovers, is something she literally can't stomach ...

The Edible Woman is a funny, engaging novel about emotional cannibalism, men and women, and desire to be consumed.

©1969, 1980 Margaret Atwood (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd.

Critic reviews

"Funny, sharp, witty, clever." ( The Times)
"Written with a brilliant angry energy." ( Observer)

odd but enjoyable

I didn't feel like I couldn't put this one down, yet I found it lighthearted and fun, challenging and kept me guessing.
hard to classify.

wonderful

I remember reading this book when I was in high school and now that I’m in my mid-50s it has so much more meaning for me. It really shows how far women have come, but still we have the same obsessions. I like the metaphor of food and hunted animal. Also the idea that the woman is constructed by other people’s visions of herself resonated strongly.

Better with age

I read this novel in the early 70's and didn't really expect it to stand the test if time - but I couldn't put this audiobook down! While it's not Atwood's best, I found it more witty and relevant than ever, despite it's early 60's setting. Except for the staccato "she said's", the narration was quite good.

just ok

Seemed a bit drawn out and I didn't enjoy the narration. but the idea of the story was good.

SO GOOD

In typical Margaret Atwood style, this book illuminates recent (WAAAY TOO RECENT) issues for women, with witty storytelling. it's funny and light, and also heavy and dark, all at the same time sometimes. amazing. Everything Margaret Atwood touches is gold.

Good story

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

Yes. I could expand my library while driving.

Would you be willing to try another book from Margaret Atwood? Why or why not?

Yes. I like her writing.

What didn’t you like about Lorelei King’s performance?

Her voice was irritating at times.

Do you think The Edible Woman needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No.

Dissapointed, not much to hang onto

I love Margaret Atwood's later books, but this one seemed unsatisfying, not quite feminist yet not quite traditional, somewhere trembling in between a declaration of independence and complete confusion. I like the narrator - she didn't do a bad job, she was understandable but the performance did nothing to enhance my understanding of the book either. I felt the narration of the main character was a fairly aggressive reading, contrasted with other voices for less important characters that clashed with ideas I had of each of those characters as well. The only way I would recommend this audio would be for a passionate Margaret Atwood fan who most absolutely read everything available.

Insight and Perspective: A 40 year old Snapshot

An unexpected pleasure, Atwood's wonderful writing, not yet fully developed, set in a time in which many female baby boomers came of age. I understand myself and my culture better after enjoying this marvelous book.

The Margaret Atwood you never knew!

Written before she became so immersed in science fiction, this is a great first novel by a pre-eminent author.

Pretty good

Not my favorite Margaret Atwood, but interesting. Someone needs to count how many times she mentions a Chesterfield. Although, to be fair, I don't think she mentioned Boston once.