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Life Before Man

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( 8,265 ratings, 625 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Life Before Man by Margaret Atwood is a compelling exploration of the intertwined lives of three main characters navigating the complexities of love, ambition, and loss. Set in Toronto, it delves into the emotional struggles and relationships of Elizabeth, her husband Nate, and his lover Lesje. The novel examines how their interactions reflect on personal growth and survival in the face of emotional upheaval.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are drawn to deeply introspective and character-driven narratives that explore the complexities of human relationships. The intricate intertwining of personal struggles and existential themes provides a rich, thought-provoking experience for readers who appreciate psychological depth and emotional nuance.

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Life Before Man is a tragicomic tale of love seeking to find its way in the wake of death from the bestselling author of The Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments

Elizabeth has just lost her latest lover to suicide while Nate, her husband, is working up to run off with Lesje.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

From the international bestselling author of The Handmaid's Tale, Life Before Man is a tragicomic tale of love seeking to find its way in the wake of death.

Life Before Man follows Elizabeth, who has just lost her latest lover to suicide, while Nate, her husband, is working up to run off with Lesje. Meanwhile, Lesje would rather be studying dinosaurs than be distracted by men.

As Elizabeth, Nate, and Lesje find themselves imprisoned by walls of their own construction, the ghost of Elizabeth's dead lover hangs over them. Under his shadow, and in the spell of love, their lives will collide and entangle towards a single tragicomic climax.

'Tender, funny, absorbing, idiosyncratic, truthful, heartening... A liberating novel' - Literary Review

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Life Before Man by Margaret Atwood is praised for its sharp wit and perceptive insights into human relationships and emotions. Critics note Atwood's masterful narrative style, blending realism with imaginative elements that explore the complexities of personality and love. The novel is recognized for its vivid and eloquent prose, making it both a compelling and liberating read, deserving of wide recognition.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784877644

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 23 February 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage Classics

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 234g

Pages: 336

About the Author

Margaret Atwood is the author of more than fifty books of fiction, poetry and critical essays. Her novels include Cat's Eye, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, The Blind Assassin and the MaddAddam trilogy. Her 1985 classic, The Handmaid's Tale, was followed in 2019 by a sequel, The Testaments, which was a global number one bestseller and shared the Booker Prize. Her most recent publications are the poetry collections Dearly and Paper Boat; Burning Questions, a selection of essays; and Old Babes in the Wood, a volume of short stories. Atwood is a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, and has won numerous awards including the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Imagination in Service to Society, the Franz Kafka Prize, the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. She has also worked as a cartoonist, illustrator, librettist, playwright and puppeteer. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

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