Margaret Atwood

<p>Novelist poet cultural critic Margaret Atwood is one of the most fascinating versatile and productive authors of our time a superb writer in any genre she chooses to tackle. This book was prepared on the occasion of Atwood's sixtieth birthday in November 1999. Its first aim is therefore to take stock of Atwood's multifarious works and international impact at the height of her creative powers. Secondly the book serves as a wide-ranging introduction to the writer and her works. Fifteen informative articles written specifically for this volume by Atwood specialists from Canada the USA the UK Germany and France treat her life and status her works (up-to-date survey articles on Atwood's novels short fiction poetry and literary and cultural criticism) and important approaches to her works (from the standpoints of gender politics mythology ecology popular culture constructivism and Canadian nationalism). A final section on creativity transmission and reception includes an interview with Atwood on creativity statements by some of Atwood's important transmitters including publishers editors literary agents and translators and some 15 statements by Atwood's fellow writers in which they explore her importance for them. A number of photographs of Atwood several cartoonsdrawn by and about her an up-to-date bibliography of works by and about her and an index round out the volume. Reingard M. Nischik is Professor of American literature at the University of Konstanz Germany.</p>