On with Kara Swisher Beyond ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’: Margaret Atwood on Memoir, Grudges, & Getting Older
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Dec 8, 2025 
Margaret Atwood, the acclaimed Canadian author of The Handmaid's Tale, discusses her first memoir, Book of Lives. She explores the reasons for writing it in her 80s, revealing how her personal experiences shaped her creative process. Atwood shares insights on her love for nature, the duality of her identities as a writer and nature-lover, and the themes of hope within her dystopian narratives. She offers thoughts on politics, the evolution of social media, and the dark undercurrents of her writing, all while maintaining a hopeful perspective despite challenging times.
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Fix Problems, Improvise, Save Small Parts
- If a problem arises, figure it out and improvise instead of whining, Atwood said about her rugged childhood lessons.
- Keep useful bits like bendy wire because you might need them later.
Poetry As A Calling, Not A Choice
- Atwood says poetry "chooses" you; one either hears it calling or not, making poetic vocation a felt summons.
- Early work often imitates predecessors before finding a distinct voice.
Poetry Reading During A Volcanic Ash Fall
- Atwood shared a road-trip reading event story with Carolyn Forché during Mount St. Helens ash fallout.
- They drove down the coast to catch flights while swapping life stories and planning publications.
