Atwood's "Book of Lives" Reveals Inspirations Behind Her Iconic Works

Margaret Atwood's highly anticipated memoir, "Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts," set for release on November 4, 2025, delves into the formative experiences and relationships that shaped her acclaimed novels and short stories. The Wall Street Journal highlighted that the memoir recalls "the mean girls, 'magic person' and high school boyfriend who helped inspire her novels and short stories." This marks Atwood's first foray into the memoir genre, offering readers an intimate look into her life.

The 85-year-old literary icon, known for works like "The Handmaid's Tale" and "Cat's Eye," initially resisted writing a memoir, stating that her publisher "wore me down." A New York Times review notes that a key motivation for writing the memoir was the passing of loved ones, with Atwood remarking, "Two words: People died. There's things you can say that you wouldn't say when they were alive." The memoir is described as a mosaic of memories rather than a straightforward autobiography.

Among the personal revelations, Atwood details the childhood bullying she endured, which directly influenced her 1988 novel "Cat's Eye." She recounts being tormented by a group of girls at age nine, an experience she previously avoided discussing explicitly while her "chief perp" was alive. The memoir also touches on early romantic relationships, including a high school boyfriend, and various other figures from her past who, in some form, found their way into her fiction.

"Book of Lives" also explores Atwood's long-standing partnership with the late writer Graeme Gibson, whose death in 2019 serves as a poignant bookend to the narrative. The memoir covers her early life in the Canadian wilderness, her rise to literary stardom, and her reflections on the cultural and political moments that have influenced her writing career spanning nearly six decades and over 50 books. It promises to illuminate the connections between her real life and her art, offering insights into one of literature's most prolific imaginations.