The Blind Assassin

Style and Technique

The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood is a complex, multilayered novel that combines elements of historical fiction, science fiction, and memoir. A distinctive feature of Atwood's style is her use of nonlinear storytelling, interspersed with excerpts from newspapers, photographs, and other documents, adding depth and realism to the text. The author employs various literary devices, including metaphors, symbolism, and irony, to explore themes of memory, truth, and fiction. The narrative structure is unique, as the novel includes a book within a book, The Blind Assassin, which is a science fiction story told by one of the characters. This technique allows Atwood to explore different levels of reality and fiction, as well as questions of authorship and control over the narrative.