The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood

This crazy story starts off with Tony, Roz, and Charis (the main characters) meeting in a restaurant as they have been doing ever since the death of Zenia . They all went to college together and although they all have different personalities and interests, they have one thing in common: all their lives were affected by Zenia.

One day, while dining at the restaurant, they spot Zenia entering . The person that they thought that had disappeared from their lives forever and that was dead was standing right before their very eyes. In shock they all leave the restaurant in a trance-like state, each one remembering the affect Zenia had on them a few years before.

Each of these three women were affected by Zenia and each of their story is told in sections throughout the book. Tony's life was affected by Zenia when they were in college together. Zenia and Tony used to be close friends and eventually Tony became friends with Zenia's roommate, West. West and Zenia were in love and lived together. One day, Zenia ran off with all the money West and her had in their joined account. This left Tony to fend for West because he got depressed and very confused. They eventually got married and lived happily when one day Zenia arrives back, having lost all her money. West feels sympathy and love for her and moves back with her, leaving Tony to fend for herself. After a few months, he returns and Tony accepts him back, but not fully because she never knew when he might leave her again.

Charis worked as a volunteer. When she gave refuge to Billy, who had escaped from the war at his hometown. They got married and lived in peace for a few years when one day Charis meets Zenia at the yoga center she was teaching. Zenia tells her how she has cancer and is going to die soon. Overcome with pity and care, Charis invites her over to stay at her house. After a few months of staying, Zenia tells her that Billy wants to sleep with her. Charis, shocked doesn't believe a word she sayz. One morning, after working on her small farm, she goes upstairs to find both Zenia and her husband gone and all her chickens' necks cut-off. She runs to the ferry to see Billy with two strange men and after that she never saw him again.

Roz was a married woman who owned an office. Her husband Mitch had many flings with women that he thought Roz didn't know. Roz meets Zenia when she was dining with Mitch. Zenia was one of the waitresses there. She tells Roz that her father saved her life in the war. One day Mitch leaves the house and goes to leave with Zenia. After a couple of weeks, Zenia writes him a letter and goes off. Mitch follows her. When he returns, Roz refuses to take him back. Then the news came that he died on a ship by drowning. They said that since he had a life jacket on, it couldn't have been suicide but Roz knew deep down that he had the life jacket on for the sake of her children and that he did do suicide. As the three women go about, thinking about the losses in their lives because of Zenia, Zenia's in her hotel room making new plans to make their lives even more miserable.

Margarett Atwood has a gift. She is by far the best author. I really recommend you all read her books. She does this thing where she tells the story but at the same time you don't quite know what is going to happen or even what is going on at all. She creates characters that you fall in love with and others that you learn to hate. The drama, the fury, the happiness and the love is in this book. I recommend both guys and girls to read this book....go on!!!