Margaret Atwood thrills fans by reading from her latest novel

The transcript narrates the reflections of an elderly sculptress who has witnessed the transformation of her statue over nine years. She describes the offerings left by votaries and the survival of the library of Ardua Hall amidst book burnings. The narrative delves into the risks of writing and preserving history, highlighting the dangers posed by surveillance and potential betrayals. The sculptress contemplates the impact of her work and the possibility of never having a reader.

What transformation did the sculptress's subjects undergo due to disease?

• They lost their hair.

• They became more muscular.

• They developed bulging eyes.

• They grew taller.

What types of offerings are left at the narrator's statue?

• Eggs and oranges

• Flowers and candles

• Coins and jewelry

• Books and scrolls

What does the narrator do with the oranges left at her statue?

• She throws them away.

• She eats them.

• She pockets them.

• She uses them for decoration.

What is the narrator's concern about the book burnings?

• They are polluting the air.

• They are making people angry.

• They are destroying history.

• They are causing a shortage of books.

What does the narrator fear about her writing?

• It could lead to betrayal.

• It could be lost forever.

• It might be misunderstood.

• It might be plagiarized.