Margaret Atwood Biography Flash a weekly Biography.
Margaret Atwood has been making headlines this October, and at 85 years old, the literary icon shows absolutely no signs of slowing down. The Handmaid's Tale author received the Eleanor Roosevelt Bravery in Literature Lifetime Achievement Award on October 11th at the Bardavon Opera House in Poughkeepsie, New York, in a ceremony co-presented by the Eleanor Roosevelt Center and PEN America. This recognition comes at a particularly meaningful time, as Atwood has become one of the most frequently banned authors in the United States according to PEN America.
During her acceptance speech, Atwood didn't hold back when addressing the censorship efforts targeting her work. She told the audience that book banning happens when people are feeling angry and need someone to blame, calling these actions a power grab by those wanting to demonstrate dominance by squashing others underfoot. Then, with her trademark wit, she delivered a perfect punchline suggesting book banners should take up knitting instead. The author also revealed she receives bizarre fan mail, including letters from men wanting her to dress up in black leather and walk on them in high heels, quipping that her being 85 seems to be no deterrent and there is hope for us all.
Looking ahead, Atwood has been busy with promotional appearances, including an upcoming event at Fairfield Concert Hall where she will appear alongside author Elif Shafak for an evening called Words Like Fire, marking the first time these two literary powerhouses have shared a stage together. Meanwhile, her memoir Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts is set to arrive on November 4th, which she describes with characteristic humor as mostly remembering stupid things you did and catastrophes that occurred over decades on this planet.
The timing of her award feels especially relevant given that her 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale continues finding renewed relevance in contemporary discussions about reproductive rights and womens freedoms, amplified by the critically acclaimed television adaptation.
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