Margaret Atwood, acclaimed for her groundbreaking works like "The Handmaid's Tale," and Boyd Varty, a lion tracker and wildlife activist, dive into intriguing discussions. Atwood shares her insights on the creative process behind speculative fiction, connecting it to childhood experiences and poetry. Varty reveals transformative lessons from the wild, exploring themes of fear, healing, and personal growth. Their engaging narratives highlight the profound links between literature, nature, and human connection—spanning the creative spectrum from storytelling to tracking.

Margaret Atwood, a celebrated author with over 50 books to her name, discusses her dynamic creative process and the evolution of her storytelling across genres. She shares insights about growing up in nature, the impact of isolation on creativity, and the necessity of hope in addressing global challenges. The conversation touches on her character Aunt Lydia’s transformation, the importance of kindness, and the notion of 'Practical Utopias.' Atwood also reflects on contemporary issues and innovative writing methods, providing a fascinating glimpse into her world.

Margaret Atwood joins Deborah Treisman in a live podcast to read and discuss Mavis Gallant's 'Varieties of Exile'. They explore the emotional impact on Americans tied to Gaza, share anecdotes about meeting Mavis Gallant, discuss book condition and reading habits, explore the experiences of remittance men, reflect on Frank Cairns and his socialist beliefs, and delve into loss and forgetfulness in 'Varieties of Exile'. They also discuss Mavis Gallant's autobiographical stories and Lynette Muir's relationships with remittance men and Frank Cairns.

Margaret Atwood reads 'A Stranger' by Saeed Jones and discusses loss, memory, and the afterlife. They explore poetry's emotional depth, the writing process, and managing time during the pandemic. The episode also promotes works by the authors and The New Yorker Radio Hour.

Margaret Atwood is the author of over 50 books of poetry, critical essays, graphic novels, and fiction. Her latest short story collection, Old Babes in the Wood, was recently published this March. Today, we revisit our 2022 conversation, beginning with essay collection Burning Questions (4:47), which wrestles with catastrophe (5:28), Atwood's upbringing in the wilderness (7:36) under egalitarian parents (10:30), and how she circumvented the traditional roles for women of the 1950s (12:55). She also shares some personal stories: her first book signing event (16:05), the day she met her late husband Graeme Gibson (17:35), and the innumerable ways in which he'd shape her life (20:29). On the back-half we discuss the historical antecedents behind The Handmaid’s Tale (23:34), its renewed relevance amid threats to reproductive justice (25:04), the debate around ‘the writer as political agent’ (31:24), patriarchal gatekeeping inside the publishing industry (34:12), the limits of art-making (35:08), and why she continues to write at age 82 (38:57). To close, Margaret reads from both her elegiac poem Dearly (41:05) and her essay “Polonia” (47:10).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Margaret Atwood, bestselling author of dystopian fiction, discusses her new project Practical Utopia and the importance of finding solutions to global problems. They explore the impact of economic conditions on women, the fascination of uncertainty, creating sustainable solutions, challenging societal expectations, and the issues with Twitter. They also discuss alternative platforms and express admiration for each other.

Margaret Atwood, a celebrated poet and author known for her influential literary contributions, shares her insights on her poem 'All Bread.' She intricately traces the journey of bread from earth to table, emphasizing its material and symbolic significance. The conversation dives into how ordinary sustenance reflects life, death, and communal sharing. Atwood prompts listeners to ponder the sacredness of bread, connecting it to our shared humanity and the deeper narratives intertwined with daily existence.

36 authors, including Margaret Atwood and John Grisham, collaborate on a novel called 'Fourteen Days'. The podcast explores whether the book successfully works as a novel or falls more under the category of unrelated stories. The speakers express mixed feelings towards the book but appreciate some of the stories. They also discuss the reluctance to revisit COVID-related stories and share their thoughts on publishing experiments, biopics, films, and the disappearance of snow days due to virtual schooling.

Margaret Atwood, a literary titan, joins celebrated poets Kaveh Akbar and Danez Smith, along with esteemed writer Tishani Doshi. They delve into the essence of poetry, exploring how it reflects human experience. The conversation highlights themes of love, lament, and joy, offering a deeper understanding of the emotional nuances within poetry. Each poet shares their unique perspective, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in the richness of lyrical expression and discover how poetry mirrors our complex lives.

Margaret Atwood joins Deborah Treisman to read and discuss "Corrie," by Alice Munro, from a 2010 issue of the magazine. Atwood is the author of numerous collections of poetry, stories, and novels, including "The Handmaid's Tale," "The Blind Assassin," which won the Booker Prize in 2000, and "Stone Mattress." A winner of the Franz Kafka Prize and the Governor General's Award, among others, she will publish "The Testaments," a sequel to "The Handmaid's Tale," in September. Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices