#26 "The Robber Bride" by Margaret Atwood

I am quite comfortable not talking for days. No pressure to sound funny, intelligent, pretending to be someone that I'm not. I remember during my insecure days telling my future wife that I'm not that funny. Makes me think of George on "Seinfeld" doing the exact opposite of his instincts since following his instincts has led him nowhere. Mine were to try to be what the ladies wanted and who knew being myself would land me such a HOT BABE!! I am just as comfortable being with my wife as I am by myself. Relaxing on the couch after the girls are asleep, discussing our relationship after the girls are asleep, and talking about random things after the girls are asleep.

Independent Movie "It's a disaster"

One conversation we discussed a couple on a movie where a girl at the attractiveness of an eight was dating maybe a six, if Tom Arnold were to be considered a six. My wife pointed out that if the tables were turned there is little chance an eight guy would choose to be with a six girl. It's not fair. What can I say?? I don't know why guys get duped by the physical beauty of a woman while the gals can look past the appearance to more important attributes. Yeah you look good but you're thirty years old and still shoveling out popcorn behind the counter of the movie theater. All I can say is blame it on the te te te te testosterone.

From left to right Roz, Tony, and Charis

Entering the world that Margaret Atwood created in "The Robber Bride" we encounter the lives of three middle aged women: Roz, Charis, and Tony, friends since college, standing at the funeral of another woman who at one time robbed each woman from the man they loved. Zenia, the sneaky, charming, vixen deceptively entered into a deep bond by telling each lady conflicting harrowing stories of survival through the harsh elements of her past. In their confidence she slowly and methodically duped all three ladies and their men into thinking she cared for them only to steal the men away and ditch them as soon as she got bored.

As they walked away from the funeral they reminisce over that heartrending chapter of their lives that seems to have come to an end providing, hopefully, some needed closure.

Tony, at the present, is a history professor in her spare time enjoys recreating major battle scenes in history to give the losing side a chance to win. She married her college lover West. In her college days she was a short hobbit-like woman with the insecurities to boot. Many acquaintances but few friends she was treated by most like a child. She was invited to a party by West where she was subsequently introduced to Zenia. Zenia was everything that Tony wanted to be. Smart, sexy, quick-witted, and most of all desired by many men. Zenia invaded Tony's space with her magnetic personality bringing her out of her shell. Being friends with a woman like Zenia makes you feel special. They bond sharing with each other their dark secrets and stories of their heartrending pasts. How painful it was when Zenia stole Tony's love, West, and ran away with him only to abandon him once she stole his money.

Charis, at the present, a spiritual, naturalistic woman working at a store named Radiance which sells items such as healing crystals, tarot cards, and new age music (you know these stores). When she met Zenia, Zenia was wearing sunglasses in the yoga class that Charis was teaching. Approaching her after class Zenia revealed a story of struggle with cancer and searching for alternative methods for healing. Right up Charis' alley. You know Charis is all about alternatives to modern medicine. Taking Zenia into her home where she is also harboring a draft dodger and lover, Billy. Billy, unemployed, meets up with other friends to discuss antiwar sentiment and treats Charis like she's an idiot. He initially dislikes Zenia but one day runs away with her to be abandoned after she steals away his money and possessions resulting in Billy's suicide.

Roz, at the present, is a mother of three children president of a fashion magazine and close friends with Charis and Tony. These three bond through the similar experiences of tragedy after encountering Zenia. Roz recognizes Zenia from her college days now working as a waitress at a restaurant. They eventually bond via Roz's father who supposedly saved Zenia during the war. Roz who's memory of her father is limited and the desire to know more about him set the stage for their relationship to begin. You know what happens. YUP, Roz's husband who is a philanderer, moves in with Zenia under Roz's nose and YUP gets ditched soon afterwards with a load of money.

Gathered together at their emo-style restaurant where the servers and occupants are tatted and pierced in a variety of places and clad in dark clothes, they discuss their feelings after the funeral. They notice a woman entering that closely resembles Zenia only slightly skinnier standing at the bar now. Is this a look-a-like or was her death also a lie? If so, why is she here? Scouring the room for another victim or preparing for a second go-around with us. She looks straight through us like she doesn't recognize us. The three friends cannot rest until they find out the truth. Whatever that is.






To be frank, Margaret Atwood created a well articulated, "Lifetime" style story. It kept me on the edge of my seat as I became engrossed in each woman's world. The raised from the dead Zenia  added more intrigue. I am not a "Lifetime" channel type of guy but if my wife were watching this movie I would find myself putting down the book or closing my laptop to see how this one will end. I will not recommend for the typical male reader but I will add this to my accumulating list of books for my wife to read. By the way it was made into a TV movie.

For your information other books on my wife's list. "The Life of Pi", "The Poisonwood Bible", "NurtureShock", "11/22/63", "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy", and a few more.