The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood

HIGHLY RECOMMENED

In a word:  Riveting

Plot:  The Blind Assassin is three stories in one. 

Story #1 is the memoirs of Iris Chase-Griffen, the once wealthy daughter of a Canadian factory owner.  In her memoirs she tells her tale and that of her younger sister, Laura, as they grow up in Port Ticonderoga, Ontario in the early 1900's.  This starts with their upbringing in a wealthy household.   She goes on the detail their education (or lack thereof), the death of their Mother, the loss of the family fortune, Iris' arranged marraige to a wealthy Canadian industrialist, the suicide of their father, the birth of Iris' daughter Aimee and the apparent suicide of Laura.  Entwined with this tale is Story #2.

Story #2  is The Blind Assassin, a book attributed to Laura Chase and published after her death.  This details the affair of one of the Chase sisters and Alex Thomas - an author and Communist sympathizer.  Entwined in this tale is Story #3.

Story #3 is the tale of the fictional city of Sakiel-Norn.  This science fiction tale is told by Alex to his lover during their clandestine meetings.

Thoughts:  Excellent book.  It may seem like this is a standard Chick-Lit tome - but it isn't.  There aren't many happily ever afters here, but you aren't depressed by the outcome because the tale is so deftly told.

Story #1 (Iris' memoir) is the most comprehensive tale in the book.  Iris holds back no punches when describing her childhood, her marriage and her relationship with her sister.  The sister come across as passive-agressive and introverted, but you understand why.  What's more, you don't hold it against them.  Iris herself seems to realize how silly the Chase family comes across.  She tells her story matter-of-factly, and you appreciate the candor.   

Story #2 (The Blind Assassin) is the mystery at the heart of the novel.  Which sister is having the affair?  I confess, it kept me guessing for much of the book.  Once you realize the answer (and I won't reveal it here), you also realize that it doesn't really matter who was having the physical affair with Alex Thomas - both sisters are so blinded by their concept of who Alex is that you might as well say they were both having the affair.  Both of their lives seem to revolve around this man.  A man who likely had no idea how attached they both were to him. 

Story #3 (Sakiel-Norn) almost seems like a throwaway - but you're still rivited to it.  This story is left unfinished, like Alex himself.  The Chase sisters didn't get to know him enough to paint a complete picture and as a result, we don't get a finished story. 

Margaret Atwood is a genius.  Even though there are three different stories told simultaniously,I never got lost.  More to the point, I was eager to see what would happen next with each of the stories.  All three kept my interest.  I was repeatedly caught by surprise.

If you like this, try reading:  The Robber Bride and The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood; Anil's Ghost  and The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje