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I enjoyed this book. I read it years ago but didn't really remember much. I did struggle to get into it at first, but that may have more to do with my own state of mind at the time than the book. As usual, I enjoyed Atwood's writing style: restrained and simple, and also engaging.
I think Atwood captures well the fascination society has with women who are believed to have committed murders. Murders committed by men seem almost humdrum, unless they are extraordinary in some way. This dovetails nicely with the themes of religious panic, in which 'fallen' women are fodder for people prone to fevered paroxysms about the imminent downfall of society.
I also think that something Atwood did well is handle the story and themes in a way that makes it somewhat irrelevant if or how involved Grace in the murders. The murders are really only one part of the story.
PS: apologies for joining the discussion so late. I was ill last week.
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