Ralphie Rough Road

“Negotiating with the Dead: A Writer on Writing”

Non-fiction, 180 pages

Overall a great non-fiction book on what it is to be a writer.  The lives they lead, thoughts, and inspirations.  It is a series of essays organized into chapters.

At times, it was a tough read.  The middle chapters did not interest me, and I found them dry.  Maybe they were above my comprehension as a reader.  However, I enjoyed learning about her life and how she became a writer.  Her different perspectives on writers and their writing were enlighting.   This is the type of book I need to re-read.  I know I would pick up more the second time around.

When I stopped in the library this book was not on my list.  I noticed it while grabbing a nearby book.  I still need to read her most famous novel, “The Handmaid’s Tale”.  Back in the 1990’s I remember watching the movie.  The movie stuck with me for sure.  With my interest in books over movies, I plan to add it to my list.

I would recommend this book to fellow writers or lovers of her work.  It may not be the best fit for the everyday reader.  You need to have an interest in writing and Margaret Atwood to truly enjoy this book.