As this book could be languishing on my bookshelves for ages before I get around to reading it I am sending it out on a ring.

All participants must be prepared to send internationally. This ring will remain open until it gets back to me, all later participants will be added to the running order wherever makes most sense geographically.

Sorry for the delay in getting this going!

Running order is as follows:
biffin44 (UK)
kizmiaz (Portugal)
Quico (Portugal)
Psyche (US)
sgscarcliff (US)
aunt-sophia (Canada)

Received today
thank you very much purple-pixie
I'll start this tomorrow morning.

I can't remember how many other maraget atwood books i've read but this was definately one of the least strange. Elaine is a painter back in her home town to attend a retrospective show of her works, and being in that place sparks off memories of her childhood she thought she had lost.

It's a really interesting book as MA builds up the character and explores her psyche - as the reader we know a lot more about Elaine than she knows herself. The character of Cordelia, Elaine's sometimes best friend, and sometime torturer obviously plays a very important role, but I'm not sure how i'd define that role. Will be interested to see what the rest of you think!

Will be posted on to Kizmiz later today

Just got it, thanks biffin44 and purple-pixie. I have a couple of Rings on my hands right now, but I'll promise to be as quick as I can. If I see I'm getting behind on this one I'll make a JE and let you all know.

26.09.2006 - Well I'm just now starting this book so it'll take me a bit to get done, sorry.

Sorry about the delay on this one.
Margaret Atwood is a brilliant writer! This book proves it, if any proof was indeed needed.
The way Elaine’s story is told and the fact that this character is actually just a regular person like anyone else, with the same anxieties, traumas, delusions and meanness is enough to make you plunge into the book and never come up for air.
Cordelia and the other girls really bring up Elaine’s fragile personality by being themselves. It is often said that children can be very cruel, that may have some truth to it but what children really are is a product of education, environment and genes. What is mistaken for cruelty is nothing more than their version of the truth.
The more books I read by this author the more I admire her, she really has a knack for building stories out of everyday situations and she definitely writes very well.
I’ll be sending to Quico today.

Just arrived! I'll read it asap.

A good read, as usual with Margaret Atwood's books. I loved the way she tells the story of Elaine: the childhood years are slow, deep, full of details and meaning; after that time moves faster and faster... as in real life.

I'm sorry for keeping the book so long. I've already Pmed -Psyche- and i'll send it as soon as i have her address.

Here it goes to -Psyche-!

This arrived quite some time ago, but for whatever reason, I failed to log it. I have read it and will pass along to the next member shortly. Thanks so much for sharing!

RELEASE NOTES:

And the journey continues...

Picked up today from my mail box. I will start reading and send it on.

I got this earlier this week. I'll start it as soon as I finish the book I'm currently reading. Funny coincidence, as the previous book I read was "The Handmaid's Tale"...

I've tried to read it and quit after a hundred or so pages. I couldn't really get into it, and I also struggled with "The Handmaid's Tale" earlier. I don't deny she's got talent, but... I guess I just don't really like M. Atwood's style. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to read one of her books, though!

I'll PM purple-pixie and try to send the book back home ASAP.