April Group Read: Atwood's:Alias Grace

This will be the thread for discussing Alias Grace by, Margaret Atwood

This one's on my list for the month.

This will be my first Atwood and it sounds like a good one I have a few ARC's to get done before I start it but I'm looking forward to reading it.

Having never read Atwood, this is the one I chose to read first as well; thanks susie for setting up the thread. I plan to start it sometime today, but will wait until there are more people on board ready to discuss, before posting anything specific to the plot.
Kasey

Ok Alias Grace readers, where are you? I started yesterday, planning to read a few chapters, and read over 100 pages at one sitting. I love the voice of Grace. She is stoic on the outside (mostly) but has so much going on inside. When she meets Dr. Jordan, I love how she thinks she is much smarter than he, that she can fool him,even that he is rather silly, but gradually opens up and begins telling her story. That story so far is completely mysterious; did she or didn't she? The writing, conversations, and letters seem entirely accurate for the times. I am completely drawn in and enthralled.

I'm about 1/3 of the way through and it grabbed me right away. This is my second Atwood, having read The Blind Assassin last year for the group read.

Im about 120 pages in, and really enjoying it. I'm hedging my bets that she did it and the Doctor is her next victim - although I'm ready to br proven wrong! I think I'll have this finished in the next couple of days tops.

I'm about 100 pages in now as well. Interesting to find out it was based on a true story.

Grace has just started talking about Mary Whitney. I had just about convinced myself that Mary would be an alternate personality of Grace's. She is sounding like a real person, but I'm not completely convinced. Poor Dr. Jordan is need of sex. It's funny how he starts out seeing most females as wanting in station or attractiveness, but then his "need" causes him to become aroused, and he seems to have fantasies about each one, including Dora whom he likened to a hanging ham. There's a sly humor everywhere.

bump

Just checking in to say that I am also reading this one, but I haven't started it yet. All the comments are getting me anxious to start. Sounds like a good one!
--BJ

It is good! I'm nearing the end; been trying to slow down, but once I pick it up, it's hard to stop. I can't wait to discuss more about it, but I'll wait til more people can join in; I don't want to give anything away. Let me just say that just when you think you have it all figured out, something will shake your belief and make you re-think.

Some of you from above must have finished by now. Do you have any general observations about the writing style or the characters?

I've finished. I'll wait until more have finished it before I comment.

I've finished, what a graet book, can't wait to see what everyone made of the ending. Will note down my thoughts so I can remember them when it is time to discuss them with everyone else

I nomintated this as the choice for my online bookgroup for April, and it won!
So I look forward to starting this as my next read.

On a side note I was reading a piece about "Top Scarers- The most frightening fiction"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/apr/08/most-frightening-fiction

and in the comments someone mentions Alias Grace as giving them chills due to a terrifying scene...

I just finished Alias Grace, and I am wondering what Atwood thinks Grace's level of culpability was. Overall, I enjoyed this read. Also, I wonder if she named the characters all with J names on purpose or if that it just what everyone was named?
--BJ

I started this thread with every intention of reading this book but never seemed to get to it.Its still on my TBR pile so will hopefully get to it soon!