Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, March 20, 1994 TAG: 9403130194
SECTION: HORIZON PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Reviewed by MARY ANN JOHNSON
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This is Margaret Atwood's best, special acknowledgement indeed since her others include "The Handmaid's Tale," "Cat's Eye" and "Life Before Man."
A spinoff of the fairy tale, "The Robber Bridegroom," the novel focuses on the dichotomy of villain and victim from the female point of view. The robber is glamorous, clever Zenia; her victims are three friends and, tangentially, their male partners.
Prior to the novel's opening, Zenia, a wonderfully evil creation, has been buried much to the relief of Tony, Charis and Roz. The novel begins several years after her funeral. The three friends, now middle-aged, meet for lunch in a fashionable, counterculture restaurant in Toronto. Zenia appears, first as a reflection in a mirror and then in reality. Her image is no supernatural phenomenon; she is back, and she has haunted their lives to the extent that they are not deeply surprised.
In three sections, each of which could stand alone, Atwood examines the relationships of the individual women with the contemptuous Zenia. Each character is rendered with clarity, perception, humanity and humor. The three stories are interwoven and, as, over the years, the lives of the women intersect with one another and with the warp thread that is Zenia, varied perspectives come into focus.
Tony is tiny, so diminutive she thinks little of herself. A student, and later professor of military history, Tony tends to write and think backwards. She understands the principles of warfare and is the ultimate realist. When strong, vampish Zenia seduces her lover, West, Tony yields.
Charis is soft, metaphysical, a grey-blonde Ophelia who shrinks from reality. Zenia takes advantage of Charis' nurturing instincts and, completing her pillage, disappears with Billy, the draft dodger by whom Charis is pregnant.
Roz is the wealthy one, plump, energetic, fashion conscious, a provider. Zenia appeals to that last characteristic and maneuvers herself into a position of power in Roz's business. She then runs off with Roz's besotted husband, Mitch.
The male characters serve as foils to the plot; Atwood seems to keep them distant from her story intentionally. This is a tale of women, their inner lives and their connection with each other.
"The Robber Bride" is a novel of many dimensions, and each one is well executed. A strong sense of playfulness permeates the language and gives balance to the conflict as well as to its resolution.
The entire novel, not just Zenia, will linger in the memory and teasingly haunt the mind.
- Mary Ann Johnson teaches at Roanoke College.
by CNB