The Complete Works of Margaret Atwood. [The Edible Woman, Surfacing, Lady Oracle, Life Before Man, Bodily Harm, The Handmaid’s Tale, Cat’s Eye, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, The Blind Assassin, Oryx and Crake, The Year of the Flood, MaddAddam, The Heart Goes Last, Hag-Seed, and The Testaments].

ATWOOD, Margaret.

$25,000.00

Item Number: 149507

Toronto: McClelland and Stewart Limited/Alfred A. Knopf Canada, 1969-2019.

Complete true first edition set of the novels of Margaret Atwood, finely bound in full morocco by the Harcourt Bindery. Octavo, 16 volumes bound in full red crushed levant morocco by the Harcourt Bindery with gilt titles and tooling to the spine in five compartments within raised gilt bands, gilt ruling to the front and rear panels, gilt signature to the front panel of each volume, gilt scrolled inner dentelles stamp-signed by the Harcourt Bindery, marbled endpapers, all edges gilt. Each volume is signed or inscribed by Margaret Atwood. In fine condition. Founded over a century ago in 1900, the Harcourt Bindery is the oldest and largest traditional bindery in America exclusively devoted to fine traditional leather bookbinding by hand. A completely unique set.

Margaret Atwood is one of Canada’s most distinguished authors, known for her prolific and genre-defying body of work, which spans multiple decades and includes novels, poetry, and essays. Atwood’s writing often explores themes of power, gender, and societal control, with a distinctive blend of realism and speculative fiction. Her 1985 dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale stands as one of her most influential works, reflecting concerns about gender inequality, authoritarianism, and the erosion of individual rights. The novel’s portrayal of a totalitarian society has remained a touchstone for discussions of feminism and political resistance, particularly in the context of contemporary debates around reproductive rights and women’s autonomy. Another significant work, Alias Grace (1996), a historical fiction based on a notorious Canadian murder case, highlights Atwood’s deftness in combining historical research with psychological complexity, illustrating her ability to tackle complex moral questions through compelling narrative. Additionally, Atwood’s Oryx and Crake (2003), part of her "MaddAddam" trilogy, is an important contribution to speculative fiction, examining the impact of biotechnology and corporate greed on humanity’s future. Atwood’s work continues to resonate with readers worldwide due to its insightful critique of societal structures and its ability to offer both literary depth and cultural relevance.