The Robber Bride

By: Margaret Atwood

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 20 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

From the number-one New York Times best-selling author of The Handmaid's Tale

One of Margaret Atwood’s most unforgettable characters lurks at the center of this intricate novel like a spider in a web. The glamorous, irresistible, unscrupulous Zenia is nothing less than a fairy-tale villain in the memories of her former friends. Roz, Charis, and Tony - university classmates decades ago - were reunited at Zenia’s funeral and have met monthly for lunch ever since, obsessively retracing the destructive swath she once cut through their lives. 

A brilliantly inventive fabulist, Zenia had a talent for exploiting her friends’ weaknesses, wielding intimacy as a weapon and cheating them of money, time, sympathy, and men. But one day, five years after her funeral, they are shocked to catch sight of Zenia: even her death appears to have been yet another fiction. 

As the three women plot to confront their larger-than-life nemesis, Atwood proves herself a gleefully acute observer of the treacherous shoals of friendship, trust, desire, and power.

©2011 Margaret Atwood (P)2011 Random House

Critic Reviews

"Moving amid these three women, touching up their portraits with one perfect detail after another, conjuring Zenia from their memories and tears, Atwood is in her glory. What a treasure she is, and what a fine new book she has written" ( Newsweek)

Captivating Story with Great Narration

Margaret Atwood is my favorite author, and I was not disappointed with this book. I found the story interesting and unique, with great character development. I loved the voice and style of the narrator--she was perfect for the voices of all three main characters.

Surprisingly enjoyable

What made the experience of listening to The Robber Bride the most enjoyable?

I went outside of my comfort zone with this book. It was turned into a Lifetime movie, definitely not my thing. But it was so much fun! I really cared about the characters and could not wait to hear more as their individual mysteries unraveled.

Who was your favorite character and why?

All three protagonists were wonderful in their own way.

Have you listened to any of Bernadette Dunne’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not heard Ms. Dunne read before, but I really enjoyed her. I forgot I was listening to a single person, but she wasn't over the top. Pretty flawless.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely, I was antisocial during this story. I had my ear phones in all the time.

if you Like Margaret Atwood, this is a must listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

great story and fascinating characters

Who was your favorite character and why?

Xenia, who was mysterious and impacted the lives of all in this story

What about Bernadette Dunne’s performance did you like?

convincing depiction of different characters

Great writer, great reader!

I loved this! I've read several books by the incomparable Margaret Atwood and this one holds one of my topmost slots! Great story, perfectly drawn characters, mixed with Atwood's ever impeccable writing! Fantastic!

the best

This was my favorite out Atwood's books so far. her character development is off the charts.

BORED with her own novel?

It started off strong but ended with a well-written whimper. The prose was strong, the characters were interesting, but in the end it just seemed a little too predictable a tad too structured. By the concluding sentence, it almost felt as if Atwood was bored with her own novel.

Not bad, not great either

This took me an unusually long time to finish. Most of Atwood's books I fly through. But this one was slow. I liked the characters, but I didn't like that continually I had to hear the same story from 3 pts of view. It was overkill for me.

A mix of thriller, crime fiction and Atwood.

As always, Margaret didn't disappoint me, but somehow everything after the Handmaid's Tale is subpar. However, you can't really compare these two. The Robber Bride has a lot of thriller/detective elements to it and, as per usual, the broken up storyline works wonderfully - it causes suspense and interest and just makes you want to read more.

We've All Known a Zenia

If you could sum up The Robber Bride in three words, what would they be?

Zenia seems omnipotent.

What other book might you compare The Robber Bride to and why?

The Robber Bridegroom- short story by the Brothers' Grimm. Zenia is a "man-eater", and manipulates women to cater to her whims.

What about Bernadette Dunne’s performance did you like?

I loved the different voices for each character. Ms. Dunne had a pleasant voice, with a steady pace.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No, but I've know a Zenia or two in my 40 years; I thought of and think of them as bullies. None of them, unfortunately, ever faked their deaths or actually died...yet.

Any additional comments?

The idea of Zenia and her involvement with each woman, and their families, made me wonder about assigned gender roles, people's choices, and the causal network. It was thought provoking.

Hate it/Like it

The narrator takes a while to get used to but isn’t awful.
The women in the story are walked all over by men and the misogyny is hard to get past.
Ending is not suspenseful or satisfying