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Literary Fiction· Canada

The Blind Assassin

by Margaret Atwood
Aggregate Editorial Score82/100
★Women's Prize for Fiction
Published 2000628 pagesEnglish
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About This Book

Published in 2000, The Blind Assassin established Margaret Atwood as one of the defining voices in literary fiction. Iris Chase narrates the story of her life and her dead sister Laura through memoir, newspaper clippings, and an embedded pulp science fiction novel. Atwood's Booker Prize-winning meta-novel is her most ambitious—a labyrinthine story of love, war, and the uses of storytelling. Themes of storytelling, family secrets, war run through the work. The book has received recognition from Women's Prize for Fiction 2000 and Kirkus Reviews 2000.

Book Details

AuthorMargaret Atwood
Published2000
Country of Origin🇨🇦 Canada
LanguageEnglish
Pages628
Category📖 Literary Fiction
ISBN9780385720953
Editorial Score82/100
About the Category

📖 Literary Fiction

Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

Explore all Literary Fiction books →
Country of Origin

🇨🇦 Canada

This book is part of Canada's rich literary tradition.

Explore books from Canada →

Editorial Assessment

Margaret Atwood published The Blind Assassin in 2000, and it has since become one of the more widely recognised works of literary fiction from Canada. The book's treatment of storytelling, family secrets, war, love accounts for much of its enduring reputation. Critics and institutions have consistently placed The Blind Assassin among the notable works of its period. Among its recognitions: Women's Prize for Fiction 2000; Kirkus Reviews 2000. Our aggregate score of 82/100 is compiled from 2 editorial sources that range from Nobel and Booker committees to leading literary journals. What distinguishes The Blind Assassin is how it handles its central concerns — storytelling, family secrets, war, love — without reducing them to neat conclusions. The book invites close reading and holds up well to it. Margaret Atwood's role in the literature of Canada is well established. The Blind Assassin can be read as both a standalone achievement and as part of a broader national literary conversation about identity, history, and the possibilities of narrative form.
About this assessment: Editorial scores are aggregated from 2 independent sources including major literary prizes, critical surveys, and leading publications. Our editorial team reviews and contextualises this data. Rankings reflect critical consensus, not personal opinion or popularity metrics. Learn about our methodology.

Awards & Recognition

Women's Prize for Fiction
winner · global
200074
Kirkus Reviews
notable · global
20009
✍️
About the Author
Margaret Atwood
Canada
View Author →

Margaret Atwood is a celebrated author from Canada known for influential works of literary fiction.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Blind Assassin about?

Iris Chase narrates the story of her life and her dead sister Laura through memoir, newspaper clippings, and an embedded pulp science fiction novel. Atwood's Booker Prize-winning meta-novel is her most ambitious—a labyrinthine story of love, war, and the uses of storytelling.

Who wrote The Blind Assassin?

The Blind Assassin was written by Margaret Atwood, from Canada. First published in 2000.

What awards has The Blind Assassin won?

The Blind Assassin has received the following awards and honours: Women's Prize for Fiction 2000; Kirkus Reviews 2000.

Is The Blind Assassin worth reading?

The Blind Assassin is a widely acclaimed work with strong critical consensus, with an aggregate editorial score of 82/100 on 50 Best Books, based on mentions across 2 editorial sources. It is particularly recommended for readers interested in storytelling, family secrets, war.

Where can I buy The Blind Assassin?

You can buy The Blind Assassin on Amazon. Click the Buy on Amazon button above to find the best edition.

What category is The Blind Assassin?

The Blind Assassin is classified as Literary Fiction. Character-driven fiction that prioritises style, theme, and psychological depth.

What country is The Blind Assassin from?

The Blind Assassin originates from Canada's literary tradition. Explore more books from Canada on our country page.

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