Negotiating with the Dead

What is the role of the writer? Prophet? High Priest of Art? Court Jester? Or witness to the real world? Looking back on her own childhood and writing career, Margaret Atwood examines the metaphors which writers of fiction and poetry have used to explain - or excuse! - their activities, looking at what costumes they have assumed, what roles they have chosen to play. In her final chapter she takes up the challenge of the title: if a writer is to be seen as 'gifted', who is doing the giving and what are the terms of the gift? Margaret Atwood's wide reference to other writers is balanced by anecdotes from her own experiences, both in Canada and on the international scene. The lightness of her touch is underlined by a seriousness about the purpose and the pleasures of writing, and by a deep familiarity with the myths and traditions of Western literature.* Author has won Booker prize for latest novel, The Blind Assassin (2000) * Atwood is studied now at sixth-form and university undergraduate level, so there will be a student as well as general market, and a market among students on creative writing courses * This book is a slightly expanded version of the Empson Lectures delivered at Cambridge in April 2000'Consistently enlivening ... Margaret Atwood's excellent book performs [that] vital function ... Her audience ... would have had no hesitation in according her the distinguished status thus implied.' The Spectator'A witty and profound rumination about writing.' The Times'Wearing her learning lightly, Atwood allows her wit to shine on almost every page.' Library Journal'This interesting and compelling book is as wise as it is charming, and it is very charming indeed.' Washington Post Book World