Book of Lives

Books, feminism, school bullies, Hollywood stars, bears, The Handmaid's Tale, vengeance, love, creativity, death – welcome to Margaret Atwood's world.

With her trademark wit, infamous wisdom and frankly astonishing recall, the creative icon takes us on a tour of her life so far and shows how it’s fed her writing. From her unfettered childhood in the wild forests of northern Quebec, to 1980s Berlin where the seeds of The Handmaid’s Tale were sown and on to her life today on the global cultural stage, settle into your ringside seat and witness a remarkable life in extraordinary times.

‘One of the most deliciously engaging memoirs of the decade’ Financial Times
‘Extraordinary . . . the writing, plus drawing and photos, will delight’ Grazia
‘Nerdy brainiac, waifish poet, Medusa-eyed feminist, uncanny prophet’ Guardian

Review

Sharp, funny and engaging -- Blake Morrison ― Guardian

I can’t recommend Book of Lives enough… it’s the book we’ve been waiting for. Take my word for it. It’s fabulous -- Dua Lipa ― Service95

Fat and satisfying -- Erica Wagner ― Observer

Just in time for Christmas... One of the most deliciously engaging memoirs of the decade -- Nilanjana Roy ― Financial Times

An intimate, beautifully told journey that captures the essence of a remarkable life ― Woman & Home

Fiercely funny tales from a literary mafia don... as pacy and fascinating as any of her books -- India Block ― Evening Standard

The real Margaret Atwood is sentimental, blunt and deliciously naughty -- Francesca Steel ― iNews

2025's most anticipated non-fiction ― Stylist

A remarkable read... successfully puts time in a bottle ― LA Times

A tremendous showcase for her wisdom and wit -- Fiona Sturges ― Guardian

About the Author

Margaret Atwood is the author of more than fifty books of fiction, poetry and critical essays. Her novels include Cat's Eye, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, The Blind Assassin and the MaddAddam trilogy. Her 1985 classic The Handmaid's Tale was followed in 2019 by a sequel, The Testaments, which was a global number one bestseller and shared the Booker Prize. Her most recent publications are the poetry collections Dearly and Paper Boat; Burning Questions, a selection of essays; Old Babes in the Wood, a volume of short stories; and Book of Lives, her memoir.

Atwood is a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, and has won numerous awards including the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Imagination in Service to Society, the Franz Kafka Prize, the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. She has also worked as a cartoonist, illustrator, librettist, playwright and puppeteer. She lives in Toronto, Canada.