Margaret Atwood is a renowned Canadian writer, poet, and literary critic. She was born on November 18, 1939, in Ottawa, Canada. Atwood has written numerous novels, poetry collections, and non-fiction works. She is also the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Booker Prize, Arthur C. Clarke Award, and the Governor General’s Award.
Early Life and Education
Margaret Atwood was born in Ottawa, Canada, to parents Carl Edmund Atwood and Margaret Dorothy. She spent her childhood in various parts of Canada, including Quebec, Toronto, and Ottawa. Atwood studied at Victoria College at the University of Toronto, where she received her bachelor’s degree in English. She went on to earn her master’s degree in English at Radcliffe College at Harvard University.
Family Life
Atwood married Jim Polk in 1968, and they divorced in 1973. She then married Graeme Gibson in 1973, and they remained together until Gibson’s death in 2019. Atwood has one daughter, Jess Atwood Gibson.
Living Address
Margaret Atwood currently lives in Toronto, Canada. She has lived in various cities throughout her life, including Ottawa, Toronto, and Vancouver.
Notable Works

Atwood has written numerous novels, poetry collections, and non-fiction works. Some of her most famous novels include “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Alias Grace,” and “The Blind Assassin.” She has also published poetry collections such as “The Circle Game” and “The Journals of Susanna Moodie.”
In addition to her writing, Atwood is also known for her activism and advocacy work. She has been a vocal supporter of environmental causes and is a co-founder of the Writers’ Trust of Canada, an organization that supports Canadian writers.
Margaret Atwood Best Quotes
Margaret Atwood is known for her incisive commentary on gender, power, and society, and these quotes are a reflection of that. Her words are thought-provoking and often challenge the status quo. If you’re looking for more inspiration from this remarkable writer, I highly recommend checking out her books and essays.
Quote | Book/Source |
---|---|
“We still think of a powerful man as a born leader and a powerful woman as an anomaly.” | Good Bones and Simple Murders |
“A word after a word after a word is power.” | Spelling |
“In the end, we’ll all become stories.” | Moral Disorder |
“Stupidity is the same as evil if you judge by the results.” | The Year of the Flood |
“You may not be able to alter reality, but you can alter your attitude towards it, and this, paradoxically, alters reality.” | The Handmaid’s Tale |
“War is what happens when language fails.” | The Robber Bride |
“Better never means better for everyone… It always means worse, for some.” | The Handmaid’s Tale |
“Another belief of mine: that everyone else my age is an adult, whereas I am merely in disguise.” | Cat’s Eye |
Margaret Atwood Best Books

Margaret Atwood has written numerous books, but the ones listed above are some of her most famous and critically acclaimed works. “The Handmaid’s Tale” is perhaps her most well-known novel, and it has been adapted into a popular TV series. “Alias Grace” and “The Blind Assassin” both won the prestigious Booker Prize. “Oryx and Crake” is a haunting work of speculative fiction that explores themes of genetic engineering and environmental degradation. “Cat’s Eye” is a semi-autobiographical bildungsroman that examines the complexities of female friendships. Finally, “The Testaments” is a sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale” that was published over 30 years after the original book and won the Booker Prize in 2019. If you’re a fan of Margaret Atwood’s writing or looking for some great books to add to your reading list, any of these titles would be an excellent choice.
Book Title | Year Published | Genre |
---|---|---|
The Handmaid’s Tale | 1985 | Dystopian Fiction |
Alias Grace | 1996 | Historical Fiction |
The Blind Assassin | 2000 | Historical Fiction/Mystery |
Oryx and Crake | 2003 | Science Fiction |
Cat’s Eye | 1988 | Bildungsroman |
The Testaments | 2019 | Dystopian Fiction |
Margaret Atwood has written numerous books, but the ones listed above are some of her most famous and critically acclaimed works. “The Handmaid’s Tale” is perhaps her most well-known novel, and it has been adapted into a popular TV series. “Alias Grace” and “The Blind Assassin” both won the prestigious Booker Prize. “Oryx and Crake” is a haunting work of speculative fiction that explores themes of genetic engineering and environmental degradation. “Cat’s Eye” is a semi-autobiographical bildungsroman that examines the complexities of female friendships. Finally, “The Testaments” is a sequel to “The Handmaid’s Tale” that was published over 30 years after the original book and won the Booker Prize in 2019. If you’re a fan of Margaret Atwood’s writing or looking for some great books to add to your reading list, any of these titles would be an excellent choice.
Margaret Atwood’s Best Poems
Poem Title | Year Published | Collection |
---|---|---|
“Variations on the Word Sleep” | 1981 | Selected Poems |
“This Is a Photograph of Me” | 1966 | The Circle Game |
“Siren Song” | 1974 | You Are Happy |
“Spelling” | 1981 | Selected Poems |
“Morning in the Burned House” | 1995 | Morning in the Burned House |
“The Moment” | 1966 | The Circle Game |
Conclusion: Margaret Atwood is a highly acclaimed Canadian writer, poet, and literary critic. Her numerous works of fiction and poetry have earned her numerous awards and accolades. Atwood’s advocacy work and support of environmental causes have also made her a well-respected figure in Canada and around the world. Therefore, to clarify, Margaret Atwood is a remarkable literary figure who has made significant contributions to Canadian literature and culture.