🧙♀️ Book Review: My Evil Mother: A Short Story by Margaret Atwood (Kindle Edition)
A witty, mysterious, and emotionally layered tale of adolescence, maternal eccentricity, and the blurred line between magic and metaphor—Margaret Atwood delivers a compact gem that’s as enchanting as it is unsettling.
🧠 Overview
Published in April 2022, My Evil Mother is a 32-page Kindle short story by Margaret Atwood, the celebrated author of The Handmaid’s Tale, Alias Grace, and The Blind Assassin. Set in 1950s Toronto, the story follows a teenage girl growing up with a single mother who may—or may not—be a witch. The mother’s odd rituals, cryptic warnings, and herbal remedies create a surreal domestic atmosphere that’s equal parts protective and controlling.
As the narrator comes of age, she begins to question her mother’s strange behavior, leading to a deeper reflection on love, independence, and the legacy of maternal influence.
✨ Key Themes & Highlights
- 🧹 Witchy ambiguity: The mother’s mystical habits—like burning hair from her daughter’s brush or dispensing “goop” to neighborhood women—blur the line between superstition and spiritual wisdom
- 👩👧 Mother-daughter tension: Atwood explores the push-pull dynamic of adolescence, where rebellion meets reluctant admiration
- 🧠 Coming-of-age lens: The narrator’s journey from skepticism to understanding mirrors the universal shift from childhood judgment to adult empathy
- 💬 Atwood’s signature wit: The dialogue sparkles with dry humor and sharp observations, especially in the mother’s eccentric proclamations
“Life is hard enough for a teenage girl in 1950s suburbia without having a mother who may—or may not—be a witch.” — Goodreads summary
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.87/5 from over 87,000 ratings
- 📖 Readers praise the story’s quirky tone, emotional depth, and Atwood’s ability to pack meaning into a short format
- 🧾 Some found the ending ambiguous, but many appreciated its open-ended charm and thematic richness
- 💬 “A perfectly thought-out, thought-provoking read with a driven storyline… The typical Atwood wit is strong in the mother, and I thought she was hilarious.” — Readers Enjoy Authors’ Dreams review
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 32 pages, it’s a quick read—best approached as a literary vignette rather than a full narrative arc
- 📚 Subtle storytelling: The story relies on nuance and suggestion, which may leave some readers craving more resolution
- 🧾 Best for Atwood fans: Those familiar with her style will appreciate the layered themes and dry humor
🏁 Final Verdict
My Evil Mother is a clever and haunting short story that showcases Margaret Atwood’s mastery of tone, character, and emotional complexity. With its blend of magical realism and domestic drama, it’s a perfect read for fans of literary fiction who enjoy stories that linger in the mind long after the final page.
