Someone gave me a copy of Cat’s Eye by Margaret Atwood. It was a long time ago, I was seventeen.
Cat’s Eye changed my view of literature and it changed me. Sometimes literature does that, it does something to you, it wibbles your insides and makes you see things in a different, in a better way. I’ve been a fan of her writing ever since.
Last night, Manchester Cathedral hosted a dramatic and musical presentation to launch Margaret Atwood’s new novel, The Year of the Flood.
Last night I met Margaret Atwood.
[photograph taken by Jon Parker Lee ]
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Sigh! I envy you, Sweet Caroline. This could have not happened to anyone more deserving. I feel the same way about Margaret Atwood, though the one that first touched me was The Penelopiad.
I got to meet Carol Shields years ago, before her passing, and it was one of the instances that made me want to be a writer. Enjoy the literary glow.
Though I am jealous (and even a little more jealous that you get to read her new book, The Year of the Flood, before me) I’ll survive and you’re lovely.
Cheers,
Jamieson
So exciting! I’m really pleased for you. Congratulations
Hi
What a great picture!
Thank you for sharing Caroline.
It must be terrific to meet someone who has affected your life.
Love and best wishes,
@RKCharron
xoxo
Jamieson Wolf - but she’s from Canada, like you - hope you get to meet her one day! Glad you’ve forgiven me x
Beth - thank you!
RKCharron - thanks for your lovely comment!
xxx
How exciting!
Bet it was a fantastic night, I read the Times article about the Edinburgh event - leopard print-sporting bishops and all!
What a lovely photo too!
So cool! We are off to see her here in Bristol next week. She looks delighted to be having her pic taken with you!
She looks nervous meeting someone so famous. I hope you were kind.
Fantastic.
xx
What an excellent photo! I’m very jealous.
I’d read Surfacing as a teenager, but it was Cat’s Eye that really struck a chord with me. I read it aged twenty, in the middle of a catastrophic falling-out with my best friend from school, and I remember reading it walking down Michigan Avenue in Chicago, crying my eyes out. Brilliant.
Whoop!
Oh how wonderful.
*Sigh* I shall never get a chance to meet James Herriot.
OMG!
I know!
It was The Edible Woman that first drew me to Atwood…love her work. Would have dribbled and been pathetic in her presence. Thanks for sharing the photo.
E.
Caroline! I also read Cat’s Eye as a teenager and for me too, it was without doubt a life-changing book (as a reader and a writer and as a person). I heard her read way back then and when she came to signing my copy, she terrified the pants off me and I couldn’t speak. But I’ll love her forever - and that signed book will always be one of my most important treasures. She’s a genius.
xxx
Oh how fantastic!! Did you tell her what effect her book had had on you?
C x
Emma Kehayas - the Edinburgh event sounds perfect! The Manchester didn’t have any leopard print-sporting bishops in it, alas!
Tania Hershman - enjoy!
David O’Connor Thompson - ha! if and only! I can’t imagine what it must be like to be an author who has fans totally excited about seeing her/him.
trousers - thank you!
Valerie O’Riordan - I got my copy signed and I honestly think it means so much more now. A battered copy, but it’s full of that moment.
Nik Perring - perfectly put!
JJ Beattie - I’d quite like to meet Roald Dahl.
Emily - my legs were shaking and I was smiling like a goon, whilst trying so hard to think of something to say!
megan - she is a genius! And, isn’t it funny, years on and I was terrified too. I mean I write books but there I was in front of an author who was admired, praised and she’s prize winning. It kind of brings you back down to the ground. I wish that I could write like Margaret Atwood.
Carol - nope. I could only smile like a loon!
xxx
I’m absolutely green with envy. Have you started Year of the Flood yet? DYING to read it.
What an amazing photo x
So glad you got to meet her and be at one of the launch events. She was ‘just’ a poet when I met her, which obviously means she and I are still bright young things, cough. You mean you didn’t ask her if she’d like a drink afterwards!:0) I would so like to be in Llandaff Cathedral tomorrow night to enjoy the Wales launch but suspect it’s not to be. I will get to read the book at some point at least.
By the way Margaret Atwood would be the only person to really write like Margaret Atwood :0) and it took her years of learning and growing to be who you recognise now.
Just like another author I know :0) she pushes boundaries, explores places others fear to tread, tells a rather good story and is continually alive to change when it comes to her work and works bloody hard at her craft… now in that respect my dear you DO write exactly like Margaret Atwood.
Shame about the drink though.
Michelle - not yet. I am putting some distance between me and the event before I start reading. I am looking forward to it and the book looks stunning.
Helen M Hunt - thanks honey!
Daisy-Winifred - I would have loved to have watched when you met her! Now that image does make me smile and I will smile for the rest of today as a result! You are very lovely.
xxx