Margaret Atwood on Age and Identity
In a quiet moment at a busy Toronto café, Margaret Atwood, Canada’s renowned author, reflects on aging and society’s limited views on older women.
“Older women are only allowed to be two things: wise old women or wicked old witches.”
Reflections on Memoirs and Mortality
Atwood, 85, recently released her long-awaited memoirs. Despite initial doubts about their appeal—questioning who would want to read about someone struggling with a blank page—she ultimately chose to share her story with characteristic irony and insight.
“Who wants to read the story of someone sitting at a desk wrestling with a blank page? It’s boring enough to die of boredom.”
The Enduring Relevance of Atwood's Work
During the conversation, she touched on the lasting impact of The Handmaid’s Tale, her thoughts on President Trump, and Canadian literature, while contemplating themes of mortality.
Setting and Presentation
On a sunny autumn day tinged with the chill of approaching winter, Atwood moved unnoticed through the café. Petite and clad in dark clothes with a hat hiding her white curls, she chose the terrace to share her thoughts quietly and thoughtfully.
Author’s Summary
Margaret Atwood reflects on aging, her memoirs, and cultural themes with sharp irony, revealing the persistent challenges faced by older women and the lasting power of her writing.
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