76 pages • 2 hours read
Alias Grace
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Book Brief
468
Novel • Fiction
Canada • 1840s
1996
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood retells the story of Grace Marks, a nineteenth-century Canadian maid convicted as an accessory to the murders of her employer, Thomas Kinnear, and his housekeeper, Nancy Montgomery. The novel intertwines Grace's first-person narrative with third-person accounts of Dr. Simon Jordan, who evaluates Grace’s mental state. The novel probes themes of gender and class roles, identity, truth, and memory. Sensitive topics include mental health and violence.
Mysterious
Suspenseful
Dark
Contemplative
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
147,821 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace is praised for its intricate storytelling and rich historical detail, bringing the 19th-century Canadian setting to vivid life. Readers admire the complex character of Grace Marks and Atwood's skillful blending of fact and fiction. However, some find the narrative pacing slow and the multiple perspectives confusing at times. Overall, it's a thought-provoking novel that examines themes of memory, identity, and justice. MLA Review: Margaret Atwood’s Alias Grace skillfully melds historical fact with fiction, offering a compelling exploration of identity and justice. While celebrated for intricate storytelling, some readers find its pace lagging and perspectives jarring.
Who Should Read Alias Grace?
Readers who enjoy historical fiction with psychological depth and feminist themes will be captivated by Margaret Atwood's Alias Grace. This novel will appeal to fans of Toni Morrison's Beloved and Sarah Waters' Fingersmith—its intricate narrative and exploration of 19th-century societal norms promise a rich, engaging experience.
147,821 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
468
Novel • Fiction
Canada • 1840s
1996
Adult
18+ years
Continue your reading experience
Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.