Bartlett considers Atwood a literary “rock star.” “She’s a larger-than-life force, her vista is so vast, and her gaze is so penetrating. She’s always made the bold step, and she’s always taken on the subjects that are huge, like rape. Still, this is a big risk for her.”

'"Twitterature: The World's Greatest Books Retold Through Twitter," which Penguin releases next month in the United Kingdom, is an irreverent, profane and sometimes brilliant collection of 20 comments on the ideas and themes in 60-some classics.'

Charles N China
By
Charles Bryant

In conjunction with Granta 108 (the Chicago edition), Granta is starting a series of blog posts in which Chicago bookstores pick favorite Chicago books. This is for Quimby's.

After striking publishing gold with her best-selling first novel, she's back with another story tinged with the otherworldly—ghosts this time. Can the new novel live up to high expectations—and the $5-million payday it fetched?