Alias Grace
Ratings144
Average rating3.9
Loved the story but it was hard to follow on audiobook. Atwood is better when read on paper.
“If we were all on trial for our thoughts, we would all be hanged”Maids Dreams Asylum Religion SubconsciousWhile reading Austen, I have often wondered about the lives of those in the background. Those actually get any work done. It is strange that I came across this book only by chance.In the mid 1800s, Grace alias Mary Whitney (or maybe Mary Whitney is the real deal, and it's Mary Whitney alias Grace) a maid, is tried in court at the age of 16 for the murder of the house owner and housekeeper. The story unfolds with Grace walking us through her life as she talks with a psychologist, Dr. Jordan.Disclaimer:It is long, unbearably so. You know it is good; you can't stop reading, but you wish it would just hurry up and end. And if you are here for a murder mystery, bye-bye. Though there is murder and mystery in it, the appeal is not in its resolution. It is in the writing and the ideas.While reading the book, I imagined myself sitting behind a one-way mirror, listening to Dr. Jordan interview Grace. She's not supposed to know that someone else is watching her. But I think she knows. We came for clarity, but it's still a façade. Her guard is up all the time.There is a childlike innocence to this narrative of murder and madness.Grace is brought up religious and knows her Bible front-to-back. Yet, there is a ruthless practicality to her thoughts that quite frequently leaves her religious beliefs helpless. Many parts of the book reflect on the unfairness and impracticality of religion in real life, especially in the lives of people like Grace.“...because the only thing to do about God is to go on with what you were doing anyway, since you can't ever stop him or get any reasons out of him. There is a Do this or a Do that with God, but not any Because.”This is only my second book of Atwood's. Still, I'm pretty sure that the rest of them also feature badass women in crappy circumstances. There are few other authors who portray them so well. (Check out [b: Aarachar 33215688 ആരാച്ചാര് Aarachar K.R. Meera https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1480602706l/33215688.SY75.jpg 23575547], if you like Atwood.)“In his student days , he used to argue that if a woman has no other course open to her but starvation, prostitution or throwing herself from a bridge, then surely the prostitute, who has shown the most tenacious instinct for self-preservation, should be considered stronger and saner than her frailer and no longer living sisters. One couldn't have it both ways, he'd pointed out: if women are seduced and abandoned they're supposed to go mad, but if they survive and seduce in their turn, then they were mad to begin with.”It is striking that all men are viewed either with indifference or hatred by Grace, unlike most other women in the book. I think we are never meant to know what she really feels. She has lost everything; she left no trace. She shared her dreams with us, but not with Dr. Jordan. Her feelings are hers to keep; it's up to us to guess.” A prison does not only lock its inmates inside, it keeps all others out. Her strongest prison is of her own construction.
While I do admire Atwood's writing, and the language here is superb, the story she's telling in the novel leaves me cold, and not just because she's constrained by certain known historical facts. Or maybe that's exactly the problem. We never really know Grace's state of mind at the time of the killings the ultimate fate of Dr. Jordon is also unclear, presumably because these are real historical figures and Atwood didn't feel she could invent those details. The result, it seems to me, is an incomplete narrative that I find unsatisfying.
Well written, of course, but why? Why do I need to read soooo many pages where so little happens? I don't always get MA. Love some of her books, The Handmaid's Tale, Oryx and Crake, others I don't care for.
‘'...and the real curse of Eve was having to put up with the nonsense of Adam, who as soon as there was any trouble, blamed it all on her.''
Grace is a murderess. She collaborated with her coworker to kill their master and his mistress. So the people say. So the people want to believe. Because, let's face it, where's the fascination in a murder committed only by a man? There's no sensation, nothing to stir the crowds. Whereas a woman who took a life? Well, there's the spectacle! Never mind that she may be innocent. This is a perfect chance to humiliate women, to place the blame on them and continue the tradition that started at the beginning of time...But Grace knows the truth. Or does she?
Margaret Atwood takes the story of one of the most famous female prisoners of the 19th century and weaves a masterpiece of a novel. Set in the 1840s in Canada and spanning almost 30 years, this is a confession and a fascinating journey to the mind and the life of a woman who has much to say and even more to hide. Is she a criminal? An innocent bystander? A cold-blooded killer? Is she a victim of her weak will? A small animal captured in a man's well-constructed trap? And does anyone want to actually listen to her? When a young psychiatrist decides to dive into the darkest part of Grace's mind, everything will change.
This is a novel that I consider perfect on every level. I've always believed that the finest writers can give us the conclusion at the beginning of the story and we'll still be interested and invested in the development of the action. This is exactly what happens here. While Atwood doesn't reveal everything at once, we have all the proper materials to ‘'guess'' the end and there is still much space for suspense, agony and, speaking strictly for me, anger. Anger was the feeling that became my loyal companion while I was reading. Anger because of the double-standards of the time, the conviction that a woman is guilty by definition when accused, the habit of regarding women as objects for the men's pleasure, ripe for the taking...And if we come to think of it, these notions are still alive today, in our so-called advanced era when many believe that gender equality is all done and dealt with and achieved. No, when I feel frightened each time I walk down a darkly-lit alley, each time a man sideglances at me, gender equality doesn't exist. Forgive me if I digress but fury comes swiftly when I think that in many parts of our planet tyranny and violence against women are considered the norm, they are alive and kicking and they will never stop. And where do most of these false notions come from? Prejudice, superstition, religious fundamentalism.
‘'...and the people there love to fall down in fits, and talk in tongues and be saved once a summer, or more if available...''
Jeremiah, one of the most enigmatic characters of the story, provides an excellent and extremely accurate description of the absurd religious panic that inflicts people of every race and every religion. The pious, God-fearing citizens look upon men to save them and are all too willing to believe in the condemnation of women. What I enjoyed in the way this theme is delivered in Alias Grace is that Atwood inserts the influence of such stereotypes in the field of Science as well. Educated men aren't immune to prejudice and they attempt to research Grace's case with preconceived notions in their heads. Enter Simon, the young psychiatrist who tries a different approach to understand the incidents and the tribulations inside Grace's soul. In the process, he finds much more than he expected. I loved the way Atwood uses the newly-born ideas of Mesmerism and Magnetism and the rising of Spiritualism that became in vogue a few years later. In addition, she addresses the issue of Hysteria, the common belief that all women were prone to uncontrollable, violent fits of rage, another token of a society that refused to believe that women are actual human beings with the right to seek sexual pleasure and fulfillment. God forbid, these are principles solely belonging to men....
It's hard not to get political when it comes to Atwood's brilliant novels. Grace's background is a highly troubled one. She comes from Ulster, an extremely tormented area, and becomes an immigrant to escape a country that is dying from famine and oppression. Furthermore, Canada is still shaking from the 1837 uprising and the aristocracy has become even more intolerant and cruel to those that are considered ‘'low'' and ‘'uneducated heathens''. In this historical and political context, we can understand how crucial are the themes Atwood addresses and how relevant they are, especially now. The gap between the wealthy and the poor, the discriminations against women, the blind faith.
Grace is a complex, intriguing character. In my opinion, she retains characteristics of the Unreliable Narrator because are we actually certain that her views on events and people are accurate? She comes across as a very sympathetic, level-headed, brave, considerate, dignified woman. She's not afraid to express mistrust or uncertainty and has the self-discipline to keep her most ‘'controversial'' thoughts secret until the opportune moment. Atwood takes us into Grace's mind before she speaks and succeeds in creating a complete picture of our heroine. However, there is still an aura of mystery surrounding her and a strange, underlying sensuality and dark innocence.
Apart from Grace, we have two male characters that are equally interesting and mysterious. Simon and Jeremiah. Simon is very complex, in my opinion. Very real and perplexing. He is not free from his own demons, he has some fairly obscure ideas about sexual pleasure but he desires progress and knowledge. He has travelled extensively and believes he has all the necessary means to tackle Grace's strange case. However, he isn't prepared enough for what is about to come. Simon gave me much trouble as I was trying to understand him and realise his motives. He is mysterious and there is definitely a darkness inside him so he is an excellent counterpart of Grace. Jeremiah is a walking riddle. A man of the world, a magnetic presence, an enigma.
This review may come across as passionate or even politically incorrect but when books make you feel so many powerful emotions after reading a few chapters, you know they have succeeded. When the author is Margaret Atwood you know you are in the safest hands possible. This is a classic, a novel that should definitely be included in the finest of the 20th century. Oh, and certain misogynists/trolls/pseudo-scholars that have been lurking on GR lately, better stay away from Atwood's novels, like The Handmaid's Tale or Alias Grace. They will prove bad for you sensitive moral values and blood pressure....
“What is believed in society is not always the equivalent of what is true; but as regards to a woman's reputation, it amounts to the same thing.”
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After watching the mini-series adaptation on NetFlix for this novel, I had to read the book and see how the two formats compared to each other. I'm already a big Margaret Atwood fan, so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed in her book. I felt there was the right amount of switching between different characters' points-of-view to tell the story well, yet keep you guessing as to the reliability of the character's words. Atwood also has a gift for inserting dry, deadpan humor in the story that makes you connect to the story, avoiding any hint of moralizing or preachiness about the way the world worked then...or the way it does now, especially around women's roles and attitudes toward them.
I usually end up liking a book much better than the movie, but I have to say that in this case, I got a lot out of watching the movie as well as reading the book. If you've only read the book, or only watched the movie, I would suggest you try the alternate version. I had a more enriching experience of the story as a whole through both mediums.
I really liked the writing, but the story seemed strangely paced, too long with an almost rushed conclusion.
It is one of those books which leaves me supremely frustrated, in particular the melodramatic decline of Dr Jordan followed by his complete disappearance from the story, and the strange hypnotism/seance scene. Oh, and that rushed conclusion.
I felt that even Ms Atwood got bored with her tale.
Part true story, part invention Alias Grace is the tale of enigmatic Grace Marks, who's convicted for murder in the 19th century. Grace is gentle, self-controlled and sometimes mad, she's a puzzle, and spellbinds a variety of surroundings characters who try to get her released from prison. We hear her tell the story in her own words to a young physician who tries to analyse her mind, interlaced with fragments of other people's reports and also Grace's own contradicting confessions from the past.
Atwood's narration is beautiful, gripping, sometimes sensual, sometimes haunting, and her Grace is fascinating especially as she always remains slightly out of grasp. The mystery of the murder and Grace's innocence and guilt is built around a portrait of 19th century culture, in which women are always at the mercy of men, the weaker gender, exploited. The ending with Grace stitching together a quilt containing symbols for herself, Mary and Nancy, was such a subtle yet powerful end commentary.
4.5
First of all, as a capital L Literature snob, Atwood's writing style was wonderful. The way she strings words and phrases together floated my boat, most definitely! It was both elegant and smart, but not difficult to read at all.
I want to share this review on the back of my copy of the novel:
“A stunning novel full of sly wit, compassion and insight, boasting writing that is lyrical, assured, evocative of time and place, and seductive in its power to engage us.”
– Houston Chronicle
Heck yes! I agree with you, whoever you are at the Houston Chronicle. Especially on the “sly wit” part – there's such a soft spot in my heart for some well-written wit, and this novel had no shortage of it. I caught myself smiling and chuckling at many points in the book, as there were several characters capable of fantastic wit.
That said, the story moved a little slowly for me throughout most of the book, and then suddenly resolved so quickly in the last 100 pages or so. I have to admit I was even slightly bored in the middle, when not much was happening. It was the writing style, wit and mystery that kept me from getting too overly bored.
Mystery isn't usually the kind of thing I like to read, but this was so well done. Atwood really keeps you guessing – at the very moment when you think you've solved it, something is said or happens that makes you wonder. Could Grace be crazy? Is she a murderer? Is she just really cunning? Atwood's mastery of this aspect of the story was totally spot-on.
Atwood plays around a lot with a couple major themes: the roles of women and men in society and psychology. Each female character is somehow weaker and sluttier than the next! It was definitely a hit-you-over-the-head kind of theme. But in this novel, it worked, because it seems like females win in the end, despite the odds. The male characters also ended up being rather hilariously ill-equipped. The psychology theme was super funny to me – I won't go too far into it, but I don't think it's a coincidence that the celebrated psychologist exits the story in the way that he does. Read it, and you'll know what I'm talking about.
Read the rest of this review here: http://www.literaryquicksand.com/2016/01/alias-grace-by-margaret-atwood/
No doubt about it, Alias Grace is written well. The premise is intriguing. And Atwood's approach to Grace Marks is captivating.
The scene where Atwood reveals the real Grace is wonderful, full of tension and insight. Regrettably, it takes much too long to get there. Sure, I understand the “not knowing” is part of what makes this story good. I agree. But while I was trying to figure out who Grace was, my attention waned. Repeatedly. And normally it's not too difficult for a book to keep my attention while I'm engaged with it. The words of the fictional Grace Marks make up most of this novel and I found her tiresome. The backstory was exhausted and the drone of her Puritan speech made Hawthorne's language rousing.
I also struggled some with the male characters in this novel. Simon is a contradiction–upholding values one minute, desecrating them the next. This dichotomy could be great for the character if it made sense. Unfortunately, I never felt like I understood Simon's motives or needs. In the end, Simon was not pleasant to me. Jeremiah, on the other hand, was intriguing and wonderful; Jeremiah, however, made no sense to me. He's a peddler. A doctor. An astronaut–no, not really. I found his relationship to Grace and to the story disjointed. I was willing to believe whatever the author told in the end about him, but there was nothing. He was sadly dropped.
Overall, I liked Alias Grace. There was so much great material here, most of it lying beneath the surface. I really wanted to love this book, but it just didn't gel for me. I'm hopeful that my next Atwood read will be much more satisfying.
It was well-written and I enjoyed the narration of Grace, the main character. But I had a problem with the character of the doctor, Simon. It seemed like the character of Simon was meant to be a parallel to Grace, but I don't think the book spends enough time with his story to fully develop that connection. It would have been better if the time was evenly divided between the two characters, or just focussed on Grace herself. The chapters about Simon seemed tacked on; and I found that his subplot ended abruptly.
My favourite parts were the sections that consisted of letters between the different characters, especially the letters from Simon's mother. She played the motherly guilt trip in a way that was real and funny.
So good. Such a compelling story, and I always love Margaret Atwood´s perceptive portrayals of gender and class. ENGLISH MAJOR APPROVED.