Got this book from my friend, for bookcrossing purposes. I do like Atwood, but somehow I'm a bit tired of reading her novels. They're so refined, so good, that sometimes they seem a bit lifeless. I do still love Oryx and Crake, though, and Handmaid's Tale is great as well. Maybe I should give Surfacing a try before I decide what to do with it.

I gave this book a go, and after a bit I decided not to continue reading. I can't really say why: Surfacing is well written, like all Atwood's books. Like I said above, I'm a bit tired of Atwood's narrative style, although I recognize it to be rather masterly. It's just that I'm not interested in all her books, not unless the plot is definitely a very capturing one, like in Oryx and Crake for example. And Surfacing doesn't seem to belong in that category. I may be wrong, but as I have many other books to read, I don't want to spend time reading something I'm not in the mood for. So, I'll release Surfacing to find new readers!

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I'll bring this book to the local BC meet-up tonight!

This caught my interest at the meeting. On my massive 'to be read' pile!

Finally this book's turn came around after four years! Can't believe I've had it for as long as that.

I do like Atwood and this was well written as usual, though with a less 'catchy' topic than some of her other novels. I enjoyed reading it and it seems she is really familiar with the Canadian wilderness. I liked reading about the survival tactics and the lifestyle of the hardened inhabitants of that harsh environment, but I didn't care for the city characters very much. They seemed shallow and mean, and I found it hard to believe the narrator would be friends with them at all, even before she got to know them rather too well on the island.

I would have quite liked to know more about the narrator's brother, he was mentioned a few times but never really explored. It appears he left the country and never came back, and he had a creepy streak as a child, keeping small animals in jars in his 'laboratory'. It's unclear whether and why he cut ties with his family or if he was still on good terms with his sister, and I wonder if I missed something important there.

Bringing to meetup.

Caught at the Old Gang meet up. Thank you!

I did enjoy this early novel from Atwood, which I had read many years ago. It was good to re-visit it. I liked the surreal elements as the main character pretty much has a breakdown. I agree with Teapot about the City "friends" who were all pretty awful. The true tale of the main character's "marriage" was heartbreaking. I hope to get this travelling again soon.

Passed on to a friend who wants to read more Margaret Atwood books.

Bookcrosser loaned it to me after a chat about the author. Will return back to her once read for wild release.

Re-captured from my friend to release in the wild.

Set free on a tour of the Edinburgh Little Free Libraries with Cassandra2020.