Surfacing Summary and Reviews

Surfacing
by Margaret Atwood

Surfacing
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Book Summary Information

Author: Margaret Atwood
Edition: Paperback
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 1998-06-01
ISBN: 0385491050
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Anchor

Book Reviews of Surfacing

Book Review: "A divorce is like an amputation, you survive but there's less of you."
Summary: 4 Stars

One of Margaret Atwood's earlier novels, "Surfacing" tells the story of a young artist who sets out to investigate the disappearance of her father. Accompanied by her lover and another young couple, she journeys to an outlying Canadian island in search of answers. As the group adjusts to life in the rustic cabin that was once the narrator's childhood home, plenty of sexual tension begins to erupt. The narrator contemplates the fate of her relationship with Joe, who wants more from her than she is willing and able to give. Anna and David's seemingly perfect marriage begins to unravel as the truth about their relationship becomes shockingly clear.

The strain among these four people coupled with the unanswered questions about the narrator's missing father creates a lingering sense of foreboding. "Surfacing" is symbolic and slightly obscure, and it will leave the reader contemplating elements of feminism, nationalism, and general paranoia. I found it a bit difficult to connect with the characters since they're so distant (we don't even find out the narrator's name), but the story is interesting and there is plenty of absorbing subtext to keep the reader engaged.

I didn't enjoy "Surfacing" as much as some of Atwood's other books, but it's a very compelling story...I definitely recommend it.

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