Bitmo Sunday book review

Sunday Book Review – Cut and Thirst – #shortstory by Margaret Atwood

Published on by dgkaye

Today’s Sunday Book Review is for a short story new release I was offered for my monthly First Reads freebie from Amazon Prime, Cut and Thirst by Margaret Atwood.

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Blurb:

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.

My 5 Star Review:

As a fan of Atwood, I enjoy all her stories. In this book of friendships and folly, three old friends and colleagues gather for one of their weekly get-togethers complete with cheeses and gin and tonics, and the topic of conversation becomes the topic of their good friend Fern who suffered from the group of male poets who tried hard to rip her reputation as a writer to shreds some twenty years prior. The conversations mingled between the women reveal undertones of women belittled by the patriarchal society, something that was accepted commonplace before women learned to speak out.

Myrna drifts off into a diatribe explaining to her friends how lucky they were to retire as professors just in time to not be picked apart microscopically by students and peers on social media. I felt the discussions by characters were opining statements from Atwood herself.

Fern’s crime – she didn’t include a publishing colleague’s long story in her short story anthology. She also knew he would become nosey and nitpicky and try to edit his own way and Fern didn’t need the agro of dealing with him. So poor his ego that the ‘old boys club’ teamed up to try to smear Fern’s successful reputation as a romance writer. The ‘cabal’ of nine published over thirty articles in the next year, ridiculing her writing skills.

As Myrna continues her womens lib conversation, Chrissy reminds that the tactics those nine pulled in their writing, back when it happened, would not be tolerated in today’s society, the way they demeaned women in their prose of thoughts. Everyone loves a juicy scandal, and that’s what those men created about Fern, causing Fern to become insecure and fearful to publish. And fearful to answering back in retaliation for years, until she finally publishes a new book and Myrna voices concern of ‘those boys’. Fern says four have apologized since and admitted Vacher started the whole scam.

During one of their weekly get togethers, the three women talk about possible ways to avenge the five of the nine who didn’t apologize to Fern for the havoc they left on her career. They laugh and drink and as writers, begin to discuss various themes and imagined methods of murder plots for the wrongdoers – if they were to commit any.

I loved that the story took place in Toronto, and through her characters, Atwood shared many of her own thoughts of the city – especially the traffic and construction my city is famous for and the disappearing culture that was once so rich.

I also enjoyed the hilarious banter with the women when Chrissy shares what happened after wrongly targeting Stephen after going forth with her revenge plan on one of the nine. Her plan was to pay him a visit and leave him a gift of laced laxative brownies – only to discover she had chosen the wrong man to avenge, as he had already apologized and was now married. Chrissy shares in hilarity what went down with the laced brownies after discovering she shouldn’t be at Stephen’s place. So the women continue on with plan B, knowing well they cannot murder and have had enough of playing with laxatives. They decide the culprit of the clan, Vacher should definitely receive some karmic payback for orchestrating the whole Fern scandal and start with visiting some bookstores and turning the spine around on all the shelves where Vacher’s books were – except they couldn’t find any of his books, they seemed to be out of print and forgotten. Karma was already there and Fern enjoyed this news immensely.

“Cut and thirst.” “First you murder someone and then you need a drink . . .”

©DGKaye2024

63 thoughts on “Sunday Book Review – Cut and Thirst – #shortstory by Margaret Atwood”

  1. I’ve never read Atwood before, but this one sounds like a hoot. I can imagine the scene where the women are joking about and plotting their scheme while getting silly over a bottle of wine.

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    1. Hi Pete. Yes, this had the oddness of Atwood with a smattering of humor with these women of a certain age taking care of past business. Lol. Of course they are writers no doubts! 🙂

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  4. Hi Debbie – this sounds an intriguing story … and really I should read more of her works. ”First you murder someone, then you need a drink … ” and I’d suggest some of those cheeses mentioned earlier. I’d also enjoy reading about your city … you’ve piqued my interest – cheers Hilary

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  5. It sounds like a very enjoyable read from a great writer, one particularly suited to those of us who enjoy reading, writing, and who are very aware of the issues discussed. Thanks for the recommendation, Debby. I also love Atwood’s stories.

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  12. You take this plot back to Wollstonecraft who got a lot of patriarchy flack, or 800 years to Bettisia Gozzadini or all the way back to the beginning of time. I wrote a book about a young wannabe feminist in the late 70s because as an adult I recalled the Victorian BS that got thrown at my mother’s “health”. These days I revel in the language and front end cries of young women presented by proximity to me by my grandaughter. Who, at 11, reads Kate Weston and listens to Olivia Rodrigo. My wife, the women’s historical studies expert and classical music person even embraces Rodrigo’s Hey, f*ckhead lyrics. All that to say I’ll have to read Atwood’s take. But, kust for example how far we’ve come from no women’s centers or spousal rape laws until ’77, here’s a not so quiet and polite ladies quote from page 1 of Kate Weston’s YA Murder on a School Night –

    “…and I keep my head down, focusing on getting past them ASAP, or at least before she gets to the last line.

    “I am strong and empowered, the patriarchy is but shit upon my shoe, good morning to all, and a very . . .”

    Annie strings this last bit out as we reach old Mrs. Robbins’s, who’s putting out the garbage in her hairnet, as she does every morning at this time. “GOOD VULVA TO YOU!”

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  18. This sounds an intriguing tale, of sweet revenge lacing not only laxatives but humour as well… :-D… While I have not not read any other of Margaret Atwoods books, Her Handmaiden’s Tale was dark and showed again the abuse of women..
    Thank you Debby for sharing the review.. <3 Sending Love my friend x

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    1. Hi Sue. Yes, I love the way Atwood weaves in some non-chalant humor in this story. Handmaid’s Tale was really horrifying – almost like real life. I’ve read quite a few books by Atwood and her stories are always focused around women. Hugs ❤ xxx

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  19. This sounds like a funny read, Debby!

    I don’t read much Atwood. I’m probably one of the few readers who doesn’t love her work. I don’t hate it either. She’s a good writer, just not my cuppa.

    Canadian writers…Joy Fielding every time. Or D.G. Kaye, whose book I am enjoying. I know it’s not a long book, but I’m a turtle reader. Recently, I learned to use the high lighter in Ebooks. This is great so when I finish, there’s reminders.

    I won’t read another book until I finish this one, and do a review. My mind clutters easily. Anyway, I’m almost finished. I really enjoy your writing, Debby!!!!!

    Okay, take care!

    xo🌹💖

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    1. Hi Resa. I am so humbled by your words, and thrilled for your interest in my books. I like your clutter-free method of book reading. One book at a time, enjoy and savor. Lol, I’m always reading more than one book at a time, with scribble notes for reviews as well as those highlights. And I get it, Atwood’s veil of darkness woven through her writing isn’t for everyone. Hugs ❤ xx

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      1. Hugs xxx
        So, I have a big deal post coming up here on Art Gowns in a few days. Once that dies down, I’ll begin thinking of my review of your book!
        xxxxx

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    1. Thank you Mark. I didn’t read Alias Grace, but I watched the series on TV. I quite enjoyed it. Atwood’s interwoven dark themes aren’t for everyone, but I enjoy her characters. 🙂

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