This morning I headed out for a walk with a mission.
Two technically.
Firstly – and probably more urgently – I’ve become a rather sedentary little puff ball during these past cold and wet weeks so have to engage on a Get Fit…ter program for the next… 40 years or so. No bother.
Secondly, I wanted to listen to the most recent short story by Margaret Atwood – mentioned during this interview on the Guardian website.
Cut and Thirst
Three women scheme to avenge an old friend in a darkly witty short story about loyalty, ambition, and delicious retribution by Margaret Atwood, the #1 bestselling author of The Handmaid’s Tale.
Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy meet every Thursday to sample fine cheeses, to reminisce about their former lives as professors, and lately, to muse about murder.
Decades ago, a vicious cabal of male poets contrived—quite publicly and successfully—to undermine the writing career, confidence, and health of their dear friend Fern.
Now, after Fern has taken a turn for the worse, her three old friends decide that it’s finally time to strike back—in secret, of course, since Fern is far too gentle to approve of a vendetta.
All they need is a plan with suitably Shakespearean drama. But as sweet and satisfying as revenge can be, it’s not always so cut and dried.
Blurb
Though I’m a fan of the audiobook, this was the first of Ms Atwood’s stories that I’ve ever listened to. Her novels are so engrossing, so full of delicious detail that I tend to savour the reading, allowing my eyes to return to a particular phrase once, twice, even more before I turn the page. Listening to one of those just didn’t seem to appeal – I feared I’d miss something, hearing someone else’s translation.
A short story was an entirely separate proposition. Here – where the plot and characters must by necessity dance off each page with momentum and purpose – here listening might actually be a better vehicle!
Narrated by Joyce Bean, this hour long unabridged version drops us straight into the world of Richard Osman – three ‘older’ women completing crime.
Of course – Atwood has presented a twist in that Osmans characters are bent on solving crime whereas Leonie, Chrissy and Myrna here are seeking to commit one!
At once, these three friends pull up a metaphorical chair for us, the unseen reader. The author uses dialogue, the primary characters private impressions and thoughts as well as more broad contextual descriptions to set up a quiet thriller, a mystery and murder* with no urgency.
We know that motivations for this vengeance will become clear. We know that the past crime and failures will be revealed and that there will be twists and turns on the way. We are curious and sympathetic and understanding – almost instantly – who these women are. Yet we aren’t worried or stressed – engrossed, immersed really, but like in a bath of words. It’s so soothing.
Despite the story running at only just over an hour, I feel a real warmth for the three primary characters and their world. Flaws, ill health, family concerns and foibles one and all present three very realistic and dimensional people – the meditation attempts in particular resonated strongly! And the cheese references made me hungry!
This touched the same part of me that has a strong life long appreciation for Fried Green Tomatoes and the Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood.
The narrator – Joyce Bean – did a great job. Each character had their own accent, speed and depth. Her accent was strong but in a definite, no nonsense way that I strongly associate with Margaret Atwood so it all tied together beautifully.
My recommendation is to go in blind. Forget everything you’ve just read, buy it and devour it in one sitting next week, without looking at the blurb.
Score – 10/10
LeedsBookClub 