Review: The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood

Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Pages: 308
Received: Received a copy from Penguin Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: September 29, 2015
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Goodreads Synopsis:

Living in their car, surviving on tips, Charmaine and Stan are in a desperate state. So, when they see an advertisement for Consilience, a ‘social experiment’ offering stable jobs and a home of their own, they sign up immediately. All they have to do in return for suburban paradise is give up their freedom every second month – swapping their home for a prison cell. At first, all is well. But then, unknown to each other, Stan and Charmaine develop passionate obsessions with their ‘Alternates,’ the couple that occupy their house when they are in prison. Soon the pressures of conformity, mistrust, guilt and sexual desire begin to take over.

My Review:

Oh a new Margaret Atwood (though yes, not so new now...) This book was everything and more I expected from such an amazing writer. I am sad to say that I haven't experienced all of Margaret Atwood's collection but I am attempting to be a better Canadian and read through them because they are so highly acclaimed (and because the ones I have read I love). The Heart Goes Last does not disappoint, originally it was published as a Byliner serial called Positron and I can see why from there, she expanded the story into what is now this beautiful novel!

This is honestly a book that is so hard to describe to someone because there is so much happening, you can't really put it into words for someone who hasn't experienced it themselves. This is a book about not fully understanding the world around you and the people as well, how easily things change at the drop of a hat. Margaret Atwood shows how many different pressures can eat away at a person and really change who they are.

This book had a lot of different aspects to it and it really helped make the story, though I will say there were a few times where I felt like the beginning and the end almost seemed like two different stories, and yet though it felt like two completely different things at the same time I could also see the connection (if that makes any sense...haha). All of the characters have many flaws, which really makes them human, they are trying to be perfect for one another and yet you can see clearly the mistakes that lead them to trouble.

Honestly, I must say that Margaret Atwood is the type of author where it is hard to describe her stories. They are very unique and are the type that readers truly need to experience for themselves, she is one of those that you either hate her writing style or you love it... I for one can say that I really do love what she comes up with and I hope that there is still many many more to come in the near future.