Customer Reviews

The Robber Bride

5 star:		(22)
4 star:		(19)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

The Robber Bride is one of those books that is thoroughly engrossing, one which creates characters and a world which we don't want to see end.

The book is about 3 different, good-hearted women and the way in which their lives intersect and twist and entwine around another, powerful, sexual, and almost witch-like woman, Zenia.

First there is Roz (a wealthy, robust woman who came from money, but works hard as an executive for a magazine, is married to "Mitch," and has three chidren, two young twin girls and an older boy), then Tony (a shy, bookish history professor with a lover named West, she prefers to live in the dusty struggles of the distant past, or at least she is most comfortable there), and finally Charis, or "Karen," (a very fragile, wispy woman who lives in a run-down house on an island near the city, and who has an American draft-dodger lover, Billy, and later, a daughter, August).

What brings these women together is one woman, Zenia. Zenia is a mysterious woman, who we learn quite a bit about, (for one thing, we learn that she is incredibly powerful, and kind of like a black hole with the power to suck in unassuming men into her sexual web, no matter who they are, or what relationships existed for the men previously), but who remains a sort of shadowy enigma. Atwood makes it clear that Zenia is no ordinary woman. Through Zenia's lips come all sorts of stories about her origins. She was a Russian emigre who was a child prostitute after her mother died. She is a busty, exotic waitress who men cannot keep their eyes (or hands) (or hearts) (or declarations of undying love) off of. She is a ghost, the ghost of a woman who was killed in a far-off land while working as a photographer covering the war. She is an Eastern European goddess, with eyes and lips and a body that could sink a thousand ships. Zenia is all of these things, and many, many more. She is a mysterious, mystical force, a dark velvet magnet for the imagination, the Id of woman personified, Eve in the garden. She is also, or she can be, very, very evil, and like a storm she leaves bodies, hearts, limbs, tears, strewn behind her in her wake. She pulls a man, a woman, a Person, into her life, and then spits them out and disappears, only to appear again, in a different guise, in a different story, carrying with her the seeds of a different past, to plant them into another victim. A sort of metaphorical vampire. And the women in the book, who encounter her time and again, with years in between sometimes, swear to themselves, (and later, to each other), that this time, *this time,* they will not let her in. They know that their loves, their families, their hopes and dreams, their very lives are at stake. But it's not so easy to turn their back on her as they would like. She's the kind of person, the kind of myth, that is impossible to ignore. She is so powerful, so strong a force, that three otherwise intelligent women can't help but answer the knocking door, can't help but let her in, "just for a minute," "just for a small favor." And like the hunter that she is, Zenia worms her way inside, and greedily feeds on the marrow of all that is sacred to them, all that is theirs. Atwood creates a character here who wears a human cloak to hide the wolf inside her. Fascinating.

It's true, the book is really about the three other women, their struggles, their loves, their attempts to make a full and satisfying life for themselves in the world. To be happy with themselves, to find lasting love, or try to, to bring children into the world and create families, homes.

But the character that stuck with me, I have to say, is Zenia. I found her a fascinating creation, and proof yet again of Atwood's measurable talent as a writer and of her boundless imagination in creating her characters. Atwood is known for mixing elements of fairy tales into her work (the title of this book is even based on the fairy tale, "The Robber Bridegroom.") I think she enjoys mixing things up, and making her villain a woman, instead of a man, like we are so used to in our culture. As a feminist, I think Atwood wants to present women that are multi-faceted and not just good and quiet and motherly and sweet, like we are so often expected to be. I think Atwood fans will be delighted with this novel, and I highly recommend it to fans of feminist fiction. To enjoy this book the most, I think you have to think of Atwood as a Storyteller first (as in around the campfire, shadows everywhere, strange crackling behind you in the forest), realist fiction writer second. Zenia is a *myth*, which is what I don't think some people who've read the novel completely understood.

I just finished this book... in fact, Zenia's ashes are probably still hovering over the water... Roz and Tony are right now slipping some of Charis's well-intentioned hors d'oeuvres into their pockets under the table to throw out on their way home...

I am a guy, and I actually enjoyed reading about these gals. I'm sure the book probably has a 99% female readership... which is O.K. and understandable, but it's too bad more guys don't read Atwood stuff... it's very educational and entertaining. There's more grit, hilarity, and bouncing off the ropes here than in any afternoon of the WWF !!

For a while I was disappointed in the co-incidence that all of the female characters seem to come from overly similar dysfunctional (even suicidal) parental lineage... they have similar inner struggles and propensities toward dual personalities. Redundant? But then I considered that it is often this very type of thing that can cause people to gravitate towards one another... even without the awareness of each other's history. So it is not unduly "contrived" that the three main characters should come together over the decades that are represented here. At any rate, it is Zenia, (who leaves nothing of "co-incidence" in her wake) that is the common denominator... the robber "mistress" as it were, that causes the three to increasingly interact and support one another.

Word to the men here though... if you need to feel like a hero, stick with Tom Clancy or whatever. The only real criticism I have of The Robber Bride is that (with all due respect to the capricious properties of testosterone), I'm not sure that all men are as ready to abandon established relationships and chase after silicone as are the men that are portrayed here. But, all that aside, I really enjoyed the book and was interested throughout.

Yesterday I finished rereading Margaret Atwood's novel, The Robber Bride. When I first read it, years ago, I didn't enjoy the story, and I'm pretty sure I didn't get the point. I probably became lost in the details, and was disappointed with the ending. This time, I believe I understood, having grown up a bit, and having seen more history come and go, along with the spin governments and organizations put onto events.

For example, with the New Brunswick government's hapless proposal to sell our provincial utility, NBPower, to Hydro Quebec, we hear stories and explanations from all sides. Not one of us can read the future, but every one has a perspective on the past and the present.

The Robber Bride is the story of three women whose lives are turned upside down by another woman, Zenia, who has stolen each of their men in turn. The book begins from the perspective of one of the women, a history professor. Zenia was dead, they thought, out of their lives at last. But no, in the early pages of the book, they are shocked to see her in a restaurant where they have met for lunch. Zenia has concocted her own death, a deliberate fabrication, one of many, as we discover, as we travel through the memory of each woman in turn.

Each of the three women received a different version of Zenia's life. Is there any truth in her at all? Is there any truth even in the recollection of the women? Near the end of the book, each of the three spends time alone with Zenia in her hotel room. Discussing their experiences afterward, they are surprised by their diverse descriptions of the room. Did the room actually change so much? or was it the faulty nature of eye-witness accounts?

People don't see what they really should see, if they want to protect themselves from wily people like Zenia. Some, like Zenia (and our governments), are very good at fabricating a version of history to suit the need. Is there ever a truth? Is there ever a true history of anything?

In my blog, and in my journal, I record my own history. Sometimes I look back at what I've written to remind myself of what happened on a specific date, but it is only a recording of what I think happened. Sometimes I tell clients that we'd need a video to know what actually occurred in the events they are ruminating over. Yet even a video only shows the chosen perspective of the camera's operator.

I'm glad I reread Atwood's book. It is a fitting reminder for us all, in these times of historic change, to do our best to experience the world with clear eyes.

I really enjoyed Margaret Atwood's writing in Cat's Eye, Survival, a few others...her characters are SO surly and I suppose that intrigued me for a time. The Robber Bride, however, felt different somehow in a way I can't explain. Perhaps my lack of interest in the book speaks more to the gradual detachment I experienced from fictional novels in my mid-20s. I suppose the digital media have become a larger source of entertainment and recreation for me.

I read Handmaid's Tale, and enjoyed it, so I figured this would be along the same lines. Not EVEN the same kind of book!...there were only a few parts I found funny. I did think the book was long at times, especially the chapter describing Roz and her history. But, generally, it was a decent read.

Zenia (the thief) is a very complex character, and chapters are spent describing how Zenia helped to destroy the 3 main characters' relationships (Roz, Charis, Tony). But, Zenia is never given her own chapter on why she feels like being this way. I think this is on purpose though; I think the book is really about women and "rebirth" throughout their lives - women coming to terms with loss and learning to let go. I'm surprised Oprah didn't pick this book!

The Robber Bride, the second book I have read by Margaret Atwood, explores the lives of three richly believable characters. The plot is part mystery, part romance, part coming-of-age tale mixed up with a tinge of feminist ideology and a lot of profound observations on North American (specifically, Canadian) life in the mid-late 20th century. I would describe the book as murder mystery meets Holly-go-Lightly meets First Wives' Club. An enchanted vixen comes into and sucks the men out of three women's lives. There's Tony, the female history professor, Charis, the new-age granola, and Roz, the powerhouse exec obsessed with all things material. Although the plot is entertaining, the characters make it work. You'll befriend (or possibly already know) these three women as if they were your personal Golden Girls.

This is ostensibly the story of three women who lose both their men and piece of themselves to a shifting illusion called Zenia. She alternately seduces and dumps the men belonging to Toni, a bespectacled war historian, Charis, a self-doubting but enlightened earth mother, and Roz, an irrepressible business woman and mother of three.

As the story unfolds through flashbacks, it becomes apparent that Zenia is not what she seems. This is really the story of how we so often refuse to see the truth about ourselves and our loved ones. Zenia is a mirror held up to each of our heroines (the ordinary kind) to reflect these truths.

The characterizations are wonderful. As the reader you get to go on a delicious voyeuristic romp through each of the three women's lives.

Overall, an enjoyable read with a good mix of entertainment and thought-provoking material.

The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood is a page-turner. It's the story of three very different 50-something women, Roz, Tony, and Charis, who have two things in common: they went to school with one another, and they were both horribly mistreated by a woman named Zenia. Zenia is a modern-day Helen of Troy, a woman whose face, breast implants, and devious, callous machinations result in a wave of destruction and man-eating.

Much to the women's relief, Zenia ends up dead and buried. They finally feel safe until one day, while they're at lunch, Zenia appears.

The novel traces each woman's explosive history with Zenia, braiding their lives together. They're the three witches of Macbeth, but they don't wait for thunder, lightning, and rain to get together. Instead, they hang out at a trendy restaurant called Toxique. Each woman has a very different personality and past, and each woman has at least one background story on Zenia. None of these stories match up, of course.

This is my one qualm about the book. We never do learn exactly who Zenia is, or why she's motivated to do those awful things she does so very well. She is a delicious villain, a Cruella de Ville of the literati, but what drives her?

At first glance, the story doesn't sound terribly interesting, and relies upon the stereotype of the poor, promiscuous, dupe of a husband, Margaret Atwood adeptly makes it into a wonderful black comedy.

I love Ms Atwood's writing period. I mean,in my opinion she could write about the phone book and keep me engrossed. You may not agree with me,I know,I just wanted to state that before I review this book,which while not her best work of the ones I've read so far, still resonates. The three woman are so well-drawn that you feel like you are snooping in on some very good friends. All quite flawed, but still the kind of friends I wish I had more of. Also, There are,unfortunately,"Zenias" in this world,although most don't operate on such a high-level of manipulation as she does. The stark reality of these woman's lives is a vivid,though at times,a bit unbelievable parallel to this woman who seems to exist only for her own selfish needs. It's a scary,sometimes funny and often sad book that will keep you wondering what will happen next.

Margaret Atwood is clearly amongst the most talented writers of modern fiction today. When her gift is matched with a wonderful story, as with her recent "The Blind Assassin", the reader is truly in for wonderful entertainment (yes, I really loved that book). However when the story is marginal, as with "The Robber Bride", one is left with a feeling that a great opportunity was wasted.

"The Robber Bride" is about three middle-aged women, each a bit unique (ie, odd) in their own way, whose lives have been changed for the worse by their evil "friend" Zenia. Zenia, who is of course both beautiful and intelligent, snatches boyfriends/husbands, deals in drugs, steals money, lies, etc - she is one larger-than-life monster. The story opens where these three women meet five years after the Zenia's funeral. While having their regular social in walks Zenia (!). And then Atwood gives us the full story on Zenia, the three women, ... and finally the mystery is unravelled.

While Atwood does entertain us with fine prose and well-developed characters, "The Robber Bride" is almost comical in its rather contrived story. Worse, she resorts to throwing many male (and female) stereotypes into the stew. Examples: all men are victims of gorgeous "femme fatales", women are either weak or they are wicked, ... and Ms. Atwood throws in a perverted uncle for good measure.

Bottom line: entertaining in an outrageous sort of way. Margaret Atwood has matured since completing "The Robber Bride", so I suggest going after those novels first. However this book is certainly not bad; female readers looking for a Jackie Collins-type of novel with panache will certainly enjoy "The Robber Bride".