Canadian author Margaret Atwood is a living legend. Since her debut in 1961 (the poetry collection Double Persephone), she has published more than 70 books of poetry, short story collections, novels, children’s books, essay collections and even opera librettos. Stories like The Handmaid’s Tale and the MaddAddam trilogy have made her world famous, and a number of her books have been adapted to film, TV, opera and ballet, and she is regularly a favorite for the Nobel prize in literature.
Atwood’s body of work is characterized by a strong passion for the natural world and for human societies and democratic institutions. She has truly made her mark with her literary explorations of totalitarianism, patriarchal structures and environmental destruction, and is known for her almost prophetic speculative fiction, set in societies curbing women’s rights or experiencing a worldwide pandemic or environmental collapse.
Despite her 84 years, Atwood shows no signs of slowing down. Only last year, she published the critically acclaimed short story collection Babes in the Wood. In her literature, Atwood is mischievous, fearless and original, frequently incorporating elements from classical texts, fairytales and works by writers like William Shakespeare or George Orwell. While her books often include elements from historical events, they also suggest new worlds and possibilities for the future.
When Atwood now visits the House of Literature, the event will take place in the Oslo Opera House, to allow as many as possible to take part in this unique evening. At the Opera House, Atwood will be joined by journalist and writer Karin Haugen for a conversation about the past and the present, prophetic stories and her unique body of work.
