“A collection of short stories about pivotal moments in people's lives and relationships, Atwood explores betrayal and boredom, especially from the female viewpoint. In many cases, the relationships are what some would consider "clandestine"...affairs between bosses and subordinates, students and teachers, and the like. Most of the stories seem to center on the moment (or perhaps moments) that call the relationship into question, the realizations that may make or break them.
In "The Bog Man", for example, a young woman is mistress to her professor and "research student assistant" to the outside world. While joining him on assignment to study a recently discovered Bog Man, she begins to notice, and grow tired of, the smirking looks from others and the tediousness of being tied to a man who is married and seems unwilling to admit their relationship fully, even to himself. Even on assignment in a small village in way--back Scotland, he sneaks in and out of her room in the middle of the night to keep up appearances. Now, as her initial romantic notions fade, she has to decide when and how to walk away.
Some of the stories I really enjoyed and wished they continued. Some were just something to pass the time. One in particular, "Hairball", thoroughly grossed me out. In the end, the entire collection averaged out to middle of the road, which, thus far, seems to kind of be how Atwood is averaging out for me...a few I really liked, a few I really didn't, and some right down the middle.”
