The pinata presided over the drinks table, the likeness unmistakable. The curly hair, the sharp chin, the handbag. Margaret Atwood, the flesh and bones one, was impressed.
This spring, as May turned to June, Atwood turned her attention to Denman Island. She would appear at three events, beginning with the Friday meet-and-greet. Atwood stood in sequin black sneakers, posed for photos and spoke to person after person who queued up for a word. She listened and nodded her approval as, during speeches, the crowd was told that 90 per cent of the event’s food was locally sourced.
On the Saturday morning, the lucky ticket-holders lined up again for general-admission seating at the Denman Activity Centre. “The only reason I’m here is Stewart,” Atwood told the rapt audience before launching into her morning reading. “He wore me down.” She also visited Abraxas, the island’s bookshop; the owner was so delighted she forgot to ask for a photo and was kicking herself the next day. Atwood checked out the Local Authors shelves and purchased Kennedy’s novel,At their event the next evening, Kennedy began by asking about Alice Munro, who had died just over two weeks earlier. Atwood discussed their friendship – how they would talk about life stuff, rather than writing stuff.
“The first one said: ‘Do you know whose house this is?’ And the second one said, ‘No, whose house is it?’ And the first one said, ‘it’s Margaret Atwood’s house.’ And the second one said: ‘Margaret Atwood, is she still alive?’ ”. The same questioner inquired about the Future Library, which is collecting written works that will not be read by anyone until 100 years after its founding. In 2014, its first author was announced: Atwood.