This book requires perseverance at first, as Atwood layers plot line upon plot line. It is the story of an elderly woman reminiscing about her life, it is also a science fiction / fantasy story, it is also the tale of two lovers who meet in secret. Atwood writes like the poet she is, her words are lyrical and beautiful and she manages to say so much by mere suggestion and allusion. She has no need for lurid love scenes - your imagination will tell you all the things the lovers get up to and, in true Atwood style, the three plot lines finally drop together startlingly. An excellent read which you may want to read twice to fully appreciate the plot.