Life Before Man
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| Life Before Man | |
 |
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| Author | Margaret Atwood |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | McClelland and Stewart |
| Publication date | 1979 |
| Media type | |
| Preceded by | Lady Oracle |
| Followed by | Bodily Harm |
Life Before Man is a novel by Canadian writer Margaret Atwood. It was first published by McClelland and Stewart in 1979. It was a finalist for the 1979 Governor General's Award.
The novel has three main characters, Nate, Elizabeth and Lesje. Nate and Elizabeth are an unhappily married couple, and are both having extramarital affairs. Lesje is Nate's lover and a coworker of Elizabeth's; Elizabeth's lover, Chris, has just committed suicide. Lesje is of Ukrainian ancestry. Lesje is pronounced 'Lashia'
All three of the main characters are narrators. Each chapter presents events from one character's perspective.
Elizabeth and Lesje both work in the museum of natural history. Lesje, a paleontologist, is fascinated by dinosaurs giving the book its title.
Shirley Gibson, ex-wife of Atwood's husband Graeme Gibson, has been cited as the inspiration for the character Elizabeth.[1]
[edit] Reception and reviews
Feminist author Marilyn French gave this novel a glowing review in the New York Times, calling it a "splendid, fully integrated work."[2]
[edit] References
- ^ Busby, Brian (2003), Character Parts: Who's Really Who in CanLit, ISBN 0-676-97579-8
- ^ French, Marilyn (February 3, 1980), “Spouses And Lovers”, The New York Times
