Margaret Atwood's poetry collection 'Paper Boat' spans six decades

Margaret Atwood's poetry collection 'Paper Boat: New and Selected Poems, 1961–2023' has been published by Vintage Publishing (Penguin). The volume covers six decades of her work, drawing from all 14 of her previous collections and including new poems. Atwood began her career as a poet, and her verse ranges from acidic and visceral to tender and mournful, as seen in the collection 'Dearly' written after the death of her partner Graeme Gibson. Her poetry frequently references classical motifs, nature, and women—both mythological and historical figures like Joan of Arc and Frida Kahlo, as well as archetypal women. The collection explores themes of power, control, and resistance, with a strong political undercurrent. Atwood has mentioned a family legend that she may be descended from Mary Webster, a woman accused of witchcraft in the 17th century. The book is recommended for reading slowly or as an audiobook, with Atwood's own narration adding depth.