Burning Questions by Margaret Atwood

REVIEW BY JEMMA CREW

CHATTO & WINDUS, PRICED £20 (EBOOK, £9.99)

Margaret Atwood’s third collection of essays does not fail to impress. More than 50 reflections, lectures, book introductions and literary tributes touch on everything from a zombie apocalypse to Shakespeare – all with the Canadian author’s dry wit. The pieces are split into sections, each marked by turning points, such as the aftermath of 9/11, #MeToo and the pandemic. Atwood doesn’t do sentimentality, but these pieces carry emotional weight. Her frank admission that she continued with a book tour when her partner Graeme Gibson died – postponing the empty house she faced upon return – will resonate with many who have experienced loss.