For more than five decades, no name has been so relevant to – and, frankly, so synonymous with – Canadian literature than Margaret Atwood. Since her 1969 fiction debut, The Edible Woman, Atwood has led the pack of writerly icons who cemented the country’s place in the global literary canon. And she has also iconized Canada in her books, often referencing Canada – and, more frequently, her city of residence, Toronto.
Now, Atwood is turning her lens inward: On Nov. 4, she releases her memoir, Book of Lives: A Memoir of Sorts. To mark the occasion – and to celebrate Atwood’s lifelong championing of her city and country, in her books and elsewhere – The Globe and Mail presents a map of Atwood’s Toronto. Here, you’ll find excerpts from her work that mention the city, alongside an illustrated depiction of those locations. You can read the excerpts yourself, and watch some of Canada’s best authors read them at locations across the city and discuss the impact Atwood has had on their careers.