Moral Disorder and Other Stories
Moral Disorder and Other Stories
By: Margaret Atwood
In this collection of short stories there is a major uniting theme: they are all about Nell. The thing is, you don't know her name right away - or even that much about her until you finish the collection. You just get bits and pieces of her life in each chapter, which do not go in "order" of birth, teenager, middle-aged, elderly, etc. The way the stories are arranged help you to see why Nell is the way she is, the events, people and places that have shaped her life.
We meet her sister, a high school boyfriend named Bill, Tig and his almost ex-wife Oona (now this is an interesting relationship, especially how the two of them pertain to Nell), learn about her parents, her first gift for her baby sister and so much more. These life stories are personable, emotional and affecting. The narrator makes identifying with her particularly easy. Her tone is natural and very matter-of-fact. She's just telling you how she sees it.
I feel that I am sadly lacking in this review and that I'm not getting across how wonderful this book really is. It's one that will leave you thinking about your life and the relationships you have, and maybe even those you don't.
Recommended To:
- Margaret Atwood fans - you know who you are
- Anyone looking for a little lesson on life
- Those who really enjoy identifying with their narrator
- Everyone!
Notes on the Cover:
Fun. Very fun. The face screams 1950s to me, but that's the charm of it. It's broken up into three sections that have it in different positions, then there are the bands across the front: the one on top is blue with the title in it, and the one below is green with the author's name in it. The breaking-up of the face really made me think about the order of the stories in the book. Maybe that's just me though...
Margaret's Official Website:
http://www.owtoad.com/home.html
Also, if you loved this title, check out one of her many others! I really loved: The Handmaid's Tale, The Blind Assassin, Oryx and Crake, and Alias Grace. Sadly, those are the only ones I've read, but she also has poetry collections, children's books and nonfiction. Something for everyone!