Better than 'The Handmaid's Tale' (Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood)

Name: stephgood

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Product:	Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood
Date:	27/11/00 (555 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A simple story transformed into a work of art

Disadvantages: Can't put it down and it's quite long

This is my all time favourite book. So now you know that I'm going to write a favourable review. Basically the book is based on the true story of Grace Marks, an Irish immigrant who lived and worked as a servant in Canada in the mid 1800's. She was convicted (along with another servant, McDermott) of the double murder of her boss and fellow maid. Atwood does an amazing job of evoking the atmosphere and day to day details of Grace's life as she travels from Ireland to Canada and becomes a servant in a well to do household before she arrives at the fateful residence of Mr Kinnear. The book centres around the efforts of Dr Simon Jordan as he visits Grace in the penitentiary and attempts to uncover the truth behind the murders. Was she as some suggested a callous killer or the innocent victim of the influences of McDermott? Atwood's narrative is evocative and mesmerising. By using stylistic elements from the 19th century (particularly in Mrs Jordan's letters to her son) Atwood adds to the overall authenticity of the narrative. The story is told from the perspective of both Grace and Dr Jordan and the differences in style (Grace uses simple, straightforward language while Dr Jordan prefers the more flowery language of the upper class) insinuate the honesty of the protagonist as well as highlighting the differences between the classes. This use of language to convey innocence or deceit adds another layer and makes you question the truth in anything you read. Not only does the book centre on the question of Grace's innocence, it also examines class relations in the mid 19th Century, particularly between the working and upper classes. Questions of both moral obligation and bankruptcy among the upper classes are investigated and disturbing conclusions are reached, especially regarding the responsibility of the working class to clean up the messes created by their employers. Could I praise this book anymore than I already have? Most defini
tely.

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