Saw a shop with English books in Italy somewhere - so had to buy one.

A book I have read and enjoyed - here is my review from when I read it in 2011.
"I loved it, indeed everything I have read of Atwood is excellent.
A very interesting story of three women who become best friends after the death of a fourth woman Zenia, who has ruined their lives generally by stealing their men! Roz is a strong powerful woman, Tony is a meek and mild academic whilst Charis is an earthmother type; all are initially connected by their living in residence as Uni students. Their great bond really occurs when they all attend Zenia's funeral, but she is never forgotten by any of them as their lives were changed dramatically during her life.
I enjoyed the way Atwood told each story independently but connected the women throughout. When something highly unexpected happens at one of their regular lunch get-togethers at the Toxique and the story ramps up, it is only the ending which is a little disappointing - I did not expect a happy ending, after all the devastation I thought it was a little too neatly tied up at the end".

I am not a big Margaret Atwood fan, and it did take me a while to get into this book, but I did finish it. I found it intriguing that 2 of the women, Tony and Roz were obviously very intelligent women, but they got drawn in by Zenia and her lies, not just once but twice, and the disruption it caused in their lives. I understood that Charis would be more gullible as she was an earth mother type and believed the best in everyone.Zenia managed to suck them all into her lies, and kept doing it, her stories of where she came from and what she been up to were so unbelievable.

To be left in the bookshelf for book exchanges in the Golden Beach Restaurant near the pool.