Moral Disorder and Other Stories

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Margaret Atwood is recognized as a leading writer of our time. In this collection of interconnected stories, she explores the course of a life and the lives of those intertwined with it—parents, siblings, children, friends, enemies, teachers, and even animals. Time is measured in sharp, vividly observed moments across decades, from the '30s to the present. The settings vary widely, including large cities, suburbs, farms, and northern forests. The first story, "The Bad News," introduces a couple navigating a world that feels increasingly unsafe. The narrative then shifts back in time, following the central character through childhood and adolescence in stories like "The Art of Cooking and Serving," "The Headless Horseman," and "My Last Duchess." As we trace her journey into young adulthood in "The Other Place," we delve into a complex relationship explored in several stories: "Monopoly," "Moral Disorder," "White Horse," and "The Entities." The collection concludes with "The Labrador Fiasco" and "The Boys at the Lab," which reflect on the heartbreaking old age of parents while circling back to childhood, completing the narrative cycle. By turns humorous, lyrical, incisive, and tragic, this work showcases Atwood's storytelling prowess and deep understanding of her characters' emotional landscapes.