The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood
Rating: ★★★★★
Margaret Atwood is definitely one of my favorite authors, and this novel does not disappoint. Atwood, once again, delivers a spectacular dystopian story that hits terrifyingly close to home. This is something that could easily happen in just a few years if the economy crashed again. The solution to this overwhelming poverty started out brilliant, but quickly plummeted downhill. Atwood perfectly articulates the dangers of pushing the ethical limits because then the limits move, and they keep moving until they cease to exist all together. This is a book that makes you think, especially in our current political climate.
The last page of this book is amazing. Just so you know.
Favorite Quotes:
"Be the person you've always wanted to be, they say at Positron. Is this the person she's always wanted to be? A person so slack, so quick to give herself over, so easily rendered helpless, so lacking in, lacking in what?" (76).
"Considering that the whole point of Consilience is for things to run smoothly, with happy citizens, or are they inmates? Both, to be honest. Because citizens were always a bit like inmates and inmates were always a bit like citizens, so Consilience and Positron have only made it official" (145).
"'People will want to pay their respects at the reception.' Reception. Egg salad sandwiches with the crusts cut off. Asparagus pinwheels. Lemon squares... Why does death make people so hungry?" (207)
"she occupies her mind by painting her nails, which is a very soothing thing to do when you're anxious and keyed up. Some people like to throw objects, such as glasses of water or rocks, but nail painting is more positive. If more world leaders would take it up there would be less overall suffering, in her opinion" (234).
"'Here's to the old days,' she says. 'May they rot in hell'" (294).
"'Isn't it better to do something because you'e decided to? Rather than because you have to?" (306).
