The Current Margaret Atwood tells her own story
Dec 26, 2025
Renowned Canadian author Margaret Atwood, known for her iconic work The Handmaid's Tale, engages in a captivating discussion about her new memoir, Book of Lives. She shares her childhood experiences in both the woods and the city, revealing how they shaped her creativity. Atwood reflects on societal changes and real-life inspirations behind her characters, as well as the striking relevance of The Handmaid's Tale in today's political climate. Plus, an impromptu palm reading adds a whimsical touch to this insightful conversation.
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Childhood Split Between Bush And City
- Margaret Atwood describes growing up alternating six months in the bush with six months in the city, living without electricity or running water in the woods.
- Those experiences informed her sense of freedom and later writing about 19th-century life.
Early Performance And DIY Publishing
- Atwood was an artistic child who performed a tap dance routine to 'Anchors Away' and even illustrated a grade-one book 'Rhyming Cats.'
- Early creativity continued into small-press publishing where she often did covers herself for cost reasons.
Canada's Literary Scene Emerged Locally
- In the 1960s Canadian literary life was small and underground, so writers were advised to go to England or New York to find respect.
- Atwood stayed as Canada's cultural institutions and publishing began to grow, creating space for local talent.