Hag-Seed

By: Margaret Atwood

Narrated by: R.H. Thomson

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The beloved author of The Handmaid’s Tale reimagines Shakespeare’s final, great play, The Tempest, in a gripping and emotionally rich novel of passion and revenge.

“A marvel of gorgeous yet economical prose, in the service of a story that’s utterly heartbreaking yet pierced by humor, with a plot that retains considerable subtlety even as the original’s back story falls neatly into place.”—The New York Times Book Review

Felix is at the top of his game as artistic director of the Makeshiweg Theatre Festival. Now he’s staging aTempest like no other: not only will it boost his reputation, but it will also heal emotional wounds. Or that was the plan. Instead, after an act of unforeseen treachery, Felix is living in exile in a backwoods hovel, haunted by memories of his beloved lost daughter, Miranda. And also brewing revenge, which, after twelve years, arrives in the shape of a theatre course at a nearby prison.

Margaret Atwood’s novel take on Shakespeare’s play of enchantment, retribution, and second chances leads us on an interactive, illusion-ridden journey filled with new surprises and wonders of its own.

Praise for Hag-Seed

“What makes the book thrilling, and hugely pleasurable, is how closely Atwood hews to Shakespeare even as she casts her own potent charms, rap-composition included. . . . Part Shakespeare, part Atwood, Hag-Seed is a most delicate monster—and that’s ‘delicate’ in the 17th-century sense. It’s delightful.”—Boston Globe

“Atwood has designed an ingenious doubling of the plot of The Tempest: Felix, the usurped director, finds himself cast by circumstances as a real-life version of Prospero, the usurped Duke. If you know the play well, these echoes grow stronger when Felix decides to exact his revenge by conjuring up a new version of The Tempest designed to overwhelm his enemies.”—Washington Post

“A funny and heartwarming tale of revenge and redemption . . . Hag-Seed is a remarkable contribution to the canon.”—Bustle

Captivating, although improbable

The English teacher in me loved this book on multiple levels. The literary allusions felt like inside jokes, and Atwood's clever working in Shakespeare's work through several layers of the story made me happy. The theater teacher in me applauds the recognition that literacy can be taught in many modes and the most insightful students are often the most surprising. Brava!

AWED!

If you could sum up Hag-Seed in three words, what would they be?

Favorite Shakespeare text, possibly favorite modern author, how could it not be a win!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The narrator was beyond compare.

The concept of teaching Shakespeare to inmates through a performance.

Somewhat of a stretch to believe a group of prisoners would understand Shakespeare.. It would have been helpful to have encapsulated The Tempest before telling Felix’s story.

Great as always!

I love Margaret Atwood. When I know the book is nearing the end I am always sad. Atwood is my all time favorite author.

A wonderful yarn for theater folks

I loved how it wove The Tempest into the story. Lots of contemporary (ish) theater references and clearly a love of Shakespeare and theater. A good listen!