A short work but great potential for a book club. It's been a really long time since I've read anything by this author, so I didn't have many expectations going in.

At first, the arc feels rather anticlimactic. <spoiler>The characters psych each other up, plotting to kill a group of men who previously hurt the career of their friend for sexist reasons. They misidentify their first target but go through with the middle-school-ish prank of feeding him-- and his unsuspecting wife-- a plate of brownies laced with laxatives. After this less-than-successful revenge, they give up the idea of trying to carry out attacks against the other members and decide to focus on the ringleader of the long-ago mistreatment. After hearing that he is terminally ill, they lower their sights again and attempt to turn around all his books in area bookstores, so his name will not be displayed. When they cannot find any of his books in local bookstores, they determine he has already received his punishment, by being forgotten in his lifetime.</spoiler>

Immediately after finishing, I felt pretty down about this. What kind of story focuses on strong, accomplished women lowering their sights so far? Patting themselves on the back for, ultimately, <spoiler>doing nothing at all</spoiler>? After a little reflection, however, I read this as a story about female rage. We fantasize about misogynists getting their comeuppance, or maybe even being the instrument of that fate. That the initial proposed retribution was not in proportion to the crime also makes sense: receiving mistreatment from multiple quarters, the characters would have wanted to funnel years of rage into this plan, to truly make an example of these men. Circumstances allowed them to temper their plan, and although what they ultimately accepted-- or talked themselves into accepting?-- a result that was a bit of a disappointment, it certainly seemed realistic, something many women would have to convince themselves is adequate, is "enough."

eARC from NetGalley.

Nothing special in my eyes. But I made the mistake myself of not researching the book more. Because then I would have realised that it’s a short story and not an actual book.
I’m personally not into short stories so that’s on me!

Atwood can do no wrong in my book. I loved this simple, quirky, fun story. I want an entire novel devoted to these women!

This was such a wonderful and enjoyable read!!!! I loved this book and highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys this genre. Thank you so much to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I wasn’t impressed or entertained. It didn’t seem to be entirely finished or clear. It was like we were just thrown into the story, it didn’t gain my interest, and was confusing in my opinion.

I honestly don’t have very much to say about this! I think the whole story is 35 pages long so obviously VERY short and sweet, I was impressed at how real the characters felt despite the story being so short, but I can’t say that I’ll ever think about this again. If you need a quick read to help your Goodreads goal though, this is the book for you 👀

3/5 stars
Three older women out to avenge a friend, decide to murder the friend's perceived enemies. Dark humor ensues.

Three retired professors devise a plan to murder eight (or is it nine) men, for reasons I wont spoil.
Atwood is able to show us the lives and personalities of these women despite the book being a quick 35 pages.
A very fast, but very fun and witty read.

Did not enjoy but read. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for a chance to read and review this book in exchange for an honest review.

I felt a bit disoriented when starting this book just being dumped in the middle of it. I think there was a good story there but the writing really let it down

“Things are getting a little surreal. Are three respectable elderly women really sitting in a pastel garden planning the murders of nine has-been writers?”

This was a fun little read about three retired women who plan their revenge on nine men who back in the day almost completely ruined their friend’s career as an author of (as those said men refer to dismissively) “girly” books.

While we learn about the extent of the misogyny of the male writers, we get insights into the friendship dynamics of the women, some of the struggles and losses each of them has lived through — and the wonderful complexity of friendships. Once I finished the book I just thought “women are awesome” and I couldn’t ask for more of a short story by Margaret Atwood ☺️

This story was very short and slightly engaging. However, to me it seemed to fall a bit short as I got closer to the end. The premise was intriguing and might have been better executed had the book been a bit longer. Regardless, I enjoyed it! Thank you publishers for allowing me to read this early copy!

REVIEW
Cut and Thirst by Margret Atwood- 1/5
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DNF
As I begin to get caught up on reading the ARCs I’ve received from Netgalley (thanks btw) I thought that a short story by such a well renowned author as Margret Atwood. I remembered reading The Handmaids Tale back in grade school and really enjoying it, but I found myself quickly bored with this short story revolving around friendship, loyalty, and revenge.

A great funny short story by this queen of literature.
Karma really is a bitch that will get you in the butt sooner or later.

Despite being a short story I do wish it was slightly longer.

This was a quick short read and I wish it was a little longer. A group of women have gathered together to plot revenge for one of their friends who is now sick. They discuss various ways to get even. I liked the characters and the academic background. I was disappointed in the ending. The book was well written.

This story was so short. At just 35 pages it sizzled out for me and didn’t really seem satisfying. The premise was intriguing and maybe if it was longer could have been executed a bit better.

She never fails to entertain. I highly recommend this read. Her writing is superb! She keeps you wanting for more.

Dark, funny and classic Margaret Atwood! I enjoyed reading it. Cut and Thirst is a deliciously dark and witty short story and follows three retired female professors - Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy - who meet weekly to sample fine cheeses and reminisce about their former lives. However, their gatherings have taken a sinister turn, as the trio plots to avenge their dear friend Fern, whose writing career was sabotaged decades ago by a cabal of spiteful male poets. With Fern's health now failing, the women hatch an elaborate, Shakespearean-inspired scheme for retribution, grappling with the complexities and consequences of revenge. Atwood's signature blend of sharp humor and incisive social commentary shines through in this compact yet impactful tale about loyalty, ambition, and the power of female friendship.

A very funny & subversive tales of old friends scheming to get revenge on some of the toxic men from their past. Highly recommend if you want an entertaining short story!

Karma is what happens when best friends seek vengeance on your behalf, but what kind of revenge is served when left just a tad too long? This was a witty short story that had a fun premise that most readers could relate to, that of getting revenge on those who have wronged us.