Bodily Harm

Oh dear god I don’t even know where to start with this book. It’s my 7th Margaret Atwood book and she’s one of my favorite authors but I hated this so much. It’s beyond frustrating and whiny, and the main character Rennie is so useless, weak, and boring that it’s not even a little bit relatable. She goes off on these bizarre dream rambles that make you question your own sanity for reading it, and her ongoing accounts of “real” events leave you questioning how even a fictional character like that even could exist because she’s so dense and stupid. I only kept reading because I bought it and felt obligated to see it through...although major props to Atwood for writing something that gets the reader feeling this strongly. I just wish it was in the opposite direction. Coming to this straight from all three MaddAddam books was tough because I genuinely loved those and got really into them. Two stars bc I love Atwood but really zero if I was being honest about this one.

I've read most of Margaret Atwood's books. This, by far, is one of my favorites. This author has a way of pulling you into the stories and feeling the feelings of the characters. There is also a lot meaning behind her words.This was truly a fast read. I really liked the character, Rennie, although at one point in the book I was ready to clobber Paul for her.If you like Margaret Atwood, don't miss reading this one!

It's Atwood is surprising in its exhibition of philosofies and perspectives presented in Canada during the 60's and 70's Spirituality, gender issues, family discord , and nationalism are explored. Mental illness and nature provide a blurry backdrop. I liked it. it is a suppressed hysteria and longing to belong to something, anything.....

A slightly more difficult story line to get into than the other books I have read by the same author. Still masterfully written and you will enjoy if you are a Margaret Atwood fan

Atwood is a genius. This book takes you on an adventure, but isn't as deep as her other books.

great

I love Margaret Atwood, I have read everything she has ever written. I have a hard time reconciling this book with her body of work. It is a convoluted whiny ramble that just goes nowhere. If it were any other author I would have put it down after 50 pages. It is such a chore to read with no rewards. There is no beautiful language, plot or character that is worth caring about.I read the first three episodes of Positron and love it so I wont give up on Margaret.

It wasn't what I wanted

I am a great fan of Atwood having read most of her books. I am sorry when they are finished as I enjoyed each one so much. What a surprise to read Bodily Harm. I am three-quarters of the way through and keep thinking and hoping that interest will pick up soon. I came scrambling to these reviews to see whether I was alone in this surprising boredom. The characters are pedestrian; Rennie's only feature is her vapidity. Maybe that is Atwood's existential intention but, please, not in my free time.

A brilliant novel; concisely told with dark humour, excellent, strong writing, and clever plotting.The superficial 'lifestyle' journalist Rennie Wilford is forced to confront the dark, hidden side of life through a series of misfortunes before she goes on a holiday assignment to an obscure Carrebean island and unwilling involvement in a failed insurrection after it. This book has been described to me as 'too stark'. We need a lot more such stark writing about political corruption and sexual brutality to women.

As ever, Atwood offers a compelling view of women in a 'man's world'. Unfortunately, the cruelty and duplicity seem only too real. The main character is someone you want to pity and to shake in equal measures. Regardless, you want to hear her story.

Gave up when I knew where the plot was going. I bought this on the quality of the Handmaid books but was very disappointed.

I was bored to tears and didn’t finish this. Hard work to read and pretentious.