Margaret Atwood on Aging and Writing
In a quiet moment at a bustling Toronto café, Margaret Atwood, Canada’s most renowned author, shared reflections on her recently released memoirs. At 85, petite and dressed in dark clothes with a hat concealing her white curls, she moved unnoticed through the crowd. On a crisp autumn day, Atwood spoke with gentle irony about the memoir writing process.
“Who wants to read the story of someone sitting at a desk wrestling with a blank page? It’s boring enough to die of boredom.”
On Her Memoirs
Initially doubtful about their purpose, Atwood found the memoirs to be a necessary undertaking despite her skepticism. She described the task of chronicling her life as a challenge filled with mundane moments, offering insight into the quiet struggles of a writer.
Reflections on Age and Society
Atwood commented on the limited roles society grants to older women, observing the narrow stereotypes they face.
“Older women are only allowed to be two things: wise old women or wicked old witches.”
Broader Conversations
The discussion also touched on current political climates, including the impact of Trump’s presidency, as well as the lasting influence of her iconic novel, The Handmaid’s Tale. Atwood examined Canadian literature’s place in the world and the themes of mortality explored in her work.
Legacy and Influence
- Enduring power of The Handmaid’s Tale
- Insights into Canadian literature
- Thoughts on mortality and creative legacy
Author’s summary: Margaret Atwood contemplates the challenges of aging, the creative process behind her memoirs, and the cultural impact of her work in a candid conversation from Toronto.