Atwood's Literary Career & Impact - Margaret Atwood, a prominent Canadian author with 64 books, faces increasing censorship in American school districts, including her renowned work, "The Handmaid's Tale" [1] - Atwood combats book bans by auctioning a fire-torched "unburnable edition" to benefit Paname, a free speech nonprofit, addressing censorship related to sexual, moral, and anti-Christian content [2] - "The Handmaid's Tale," published in 1985, has sold over 10 million copies and inspired an Emmy-winning Hulu series, becoming a symbol of protest and resistance [5] - Atwood's works, including "Oryx and Crake," have been seen as eerily prescient, warning about potential catastrophes like environmental collapse and global pandemics [7][8] Atwood's Writing Process & Influences - Atwood's fiction is rooted in historical events, drawing from extensive research documented in archived news clippings [10] - Atwood emphasizes the importance of detail, influenced by her upbringing with a biologist father, leading to precise observations in her writing [14] Atwood's Views on Society & Politics - Atwood expresses concern about the erosion of civil liberties and the potential for totalitarian tendencies, such as controlling the media and judicial system [27] - Atwood notes that she has often faced more criticism from the left than the right, as the left expects her to explicitly promote their views [29][30] Atwood's Personal Life & Reflections - Atwood's memoir, "Book of Lives," explores her life, including her unconventional childhood and experiences with a blended family [12][20] - Atwood reflects on her relationship with her late partner, Graham Gibson, highlighting the challenges and complexities of their blended family [19][20]