I thoroughly enjoyed Atwood’s writing style. As I’m sure others may have mentioned, her imagery is lovely. Like Mary Lavin and Elizabeth Bowen before her, Atwood immerses the reader in thick description. The line beginning the story is among my favorites. Atwood writes: “The freezing rain sifts down, handfuls of shining rice thrown by some unseen celebrant. Wherever it hits, it crystalizes. . .” (1) The imagery continues throughout the first chapter. Another favorite line is on the ninth page. She writes: “[Ewan] likes to watch as their clothing — their silken robes, their embroidered vestments, their fur lined capes, their shining veils — are ripped to shreds, and they plead and writhe attractively.” (9) In trying to distinguish more carefully what about this sentence I enjoy, I’ve realized my fondness for the words ‘plead’, and ‘writhe’ —  words I don’t often see.

Perhaps more than her descriptions, I also loved the way Atwood structures her sentences. She uses sentence variation very well. An example of this is also on the first page, further down the paragraph. She writes, “She, [as in Constance, the narrator] ought to be considering the dangers, the hazards, the grief this ice storm is going to bring to many; is already bringing. . .” (1) I’m excited to read more. Thanks for choosing this book, Lydia!