The Robber Bride

By: Margaret Atwood

Narrated by: Bernadette Dunne

Length: 20 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's Summary

Margaret Atwood's The Robber Bride is inspired by "The Robber Bridegroom", a wonderfully grisly tale from the Brothers Grimm in which an evil groom lures three maidens into his lair and devours them, one by one. But in her version, Atwood brilliantly recasts the monster as Zenia, a villainess of demonic proportions, and sets her loose in the lives of three friends: Tony, Charis, and Roz. All three "have lost men, spirit, money, and time to their old college acquaintance, Zenia. At various times, and in various emotional disguises, Zenia has insinuated her way into their lives and practically demolished them.

To Tony, who almost lost her husband and jeopardized her academic career, Zenia is "a lurking enemy commando". To Roz, who did lose her husband and almost her magazine, Zenia is "a cold and treacherous bitch". To Charis, who lost a boyfriend, quarts of vegetable juice, and some pet chickens, Zenia is a kind of zombie, maybe "soulless" (Lorrie Moore, New York Times Book Review). In love and war, illusion and deceit, Zenia's subterranean malevolence takes us deep into her enemies' pasts.

©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.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

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.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

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!

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

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

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

the best

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

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

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.

17 of 21 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

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.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Entertaining, but loooooong

The Robber Bride isn’t what I expected. After The Blind Assassin, which feels much darker (though humorous at times) I was hoping this would be as enthralling.

Robber Bride seems as though it was written quickly. Grocery-store fiction; the newsprint pulp best-sellers found in cheap rows on wire shelves as you pass by on your way to the checkout counter. Entertaining, but not the way I prefer to spend money.

Good beach-read (though you’ll be sunburnt to finish this) bathtubbing reads (hope you have a gigantic water heater), big giant laugh-track mass-market checkout-from-your-long-stressful-day for a solid week sort of read. Fun, but too many parties night after night, with as many hangovers. Funny, life of said party at high points throughout the book, but followed by wee hours when one feels it’s time to go home.

I listened at high-octane mode; 1.5 & 2; fast track to complete the destination. My God! But go Boyce!