Cut and Thirst is a short story about Myrna, Leonie and Chrissy trying to find a way to seek retribution for their friend Fern. Fern was bullied for her publishings by 9 men. The trio debate on how to murder the men while making it look like an accident. They ultimately decided it wasn’t the best idea after a hash-brownie mixup.

These girls are ride or die for each other. The best friends a girl could have. The story however, felt rushed. I realize it was a short story but there was more about turrets on houses than plotting murder, which is why I gave it 3 stars.

Margaret Atwood, as usual, gifts us with her witty and dry sense of humor. The characters were delightful and eccentric, yet I finished this short story wanting more. I think this format is not really for me.

I enjoyed this, it was a super quick read at just 35 pages. It definitely leaves you wanting more!

I loved the friendship and banter between this group of retired women. They meet each week to discuss their lives and they bring cheese and alcoholic drinks! Usually a G & T!

There was lots of humour and it was definitely short and sweet! I recommend this if you are looking to pick up a quick entertaining read!

Cut and Thirst is a short story by award-winning, best-selling Canadian author, Margaret Atwood. Without her knowledge, and likely against her wishes, were she asked, Fern’s best friends have decided to exact revenge. Over drinks, Leonie, Chrissy and Myrna are planning to murder the men they feel are responsible for putting her in a wheelchair.

For committing a literary sin that convinced a certain male author he’d been slighted, eight – or nine?- poetlings and wordsmiths, led by Humphrey Vacher, launched into sustained gleeful and sadistic criticisms of Fern’s work, completely demoralising her and demolishing her self-confidence. “A slow assassination.”

As her friends discuss their plans, their conversations peppered with literary quotes, they decide there must not be any evidence, but the men must know why they’re dying. The how, though: “Their respect for murderers is increasing: not so easy, this murdering business”.

Myrna observes “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?” Do they succeed?

Atwood has such a way with words and concepts: refreshments from Nancy’s Cheese Shop. “Nancy is always reliable, in their opinion. If you say, “Not too bland, but not too smelly,” she knows what you mean. If only you could preselect your social acquaintances that way”

And the title? A slight misquote from the Scottish play when Chrissy suggests using the fencing foil she purloined from the props “I like that,” says Leonie. “First you murder someone and then you need a drink. I’m having another, join me?” as illustrated imaginatively on the cover. Clever and funny and utterly delightful.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories.

I've read many of Margaret Atwood's novels, so I wasn't at all worried about what this book might contain. Actually, this book took me a bit by surprise because I didn't expect it to be such a short and condensed tale. Essentially, the protagonists conspire to organize a murder without skimping on humor - often very dark - or gracefulness. The story is devouring, probably also thanks to its extreme fluidity and brevity. A small gem that I highly recommend and that allows you to delve even more into the style and abilities of the author to craft fascinating stories.

A dark short story (only 35 pages) on three retired professors who were avenging their friend.

From straight-up murder to inducing a visit to the bathroom, I wish this had been longer.

It is incredible how Margaret Atwood can so clearly and quickly establish the protagonists’ personalities in her latest short story. It follows three retired professors, Myrna, Leonie and Chrissy, who gather on a weekly basis to seek revenge on their friend’’s behalf. The story captures their plotting and sheds light on why a group of eight, perhaps nine, men may deserve to be the recipients of their best laid plans.

My only criticism is that the story is over in an instant; I would have gladly read a full novel exploring these women’s deliberations and attempts at revenge.

Thank you to NetGalley and Amazon Original Stories for the ARC!

I do love a short story and no one does it better than Margaret Atwood! Three elderly authors and academics who enjoy meeting to engage in lively discussion and cocktails hatch a plan to avenge their friend who was targeted and professionally mistreated decades before by four male peers. The vindictiveness with which they plot their revenge is hilarious and delightful. They soon discover that it might be more difficult to administer their punishment than they anticipated, and that life has a way of evening the score.

I'm a big fan of Margaret Atwood's work, and Cut and Thirst is no different. A quick, witty read, with well developed characters. There isn't much else to say without spoiling the whole short story, as it's really quite short. Loved it!

Margaret Atwood can spin an epic tale as well as engage us in a short/novella about revenge and comeuppance. Witty, fun and a laugh at the resolution. For a quick read, I'd suggest this book.

I always really enjoy Margaret Atwood’s writing style and it was the same for this book. I enjoyed the concept of the book as well as the characters but do think it would have been better as a longer novel to flesh out the concept a bit more.

Somehow this is the first story by Margaret Atwood that I’ve read, and I couldn’t help but fall in love with her writing style. I love her dry, direct writing, and the way she is able to create interesting and engaging characters.

Perhaps my favourite part about this story was the perfectly ridiculous plot. I’m always a sucker for stories with eccentric old ladies, and I feel that Atwood has created a beautiful portrayal of female rage and friendship.

While Atwood fits her tale well into short story form, I would have loved to see this developed into a novel or novella. My only qualm with this story is that it does drop off a little towards the end, with some of the original suspense and whimsy of the story being lost, however, I do acknowledge that this may be deliberate.

Overall, I found this story delightful and can’t wait to read more of Atwood’s work. I’d recommend this to all fiction lovers. 3.5/5

A short story, Cut and Thirst (2024) by Margaret Atwood is a tale of sweet revenge. Three older women, Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy whose friendship is decades old, still meet every Thursday to enjoy drinks and fine cheese. When talking about their ailing friend Fern, they agree to seek recompense for her and discuss possible murder options. A charming, if all too brief tale of friendship and retribution with an ending somewhat truncated. Its sublime characters and whimsical light touch make this a four and a half stars read rating. With thanks to Amazon Original Stories and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

› Cut & Thirst is included in Amazon Original Stories, which publishes short stories many of which are free for Prime members. I have "borrowed" 10 selections and it looks like that is the max. When I try to add another it says "To borrow this title, please select a title to return".

› I won't say much, as this short story is only 35 pages long. Cut & Thirst is a fun and quick read about three retired professors, Myrna, Leonie, and Chrissy, who get together to discuss how they can avenge the stress that was caused to their fourth friend Fern.

› "The cut and thirst!"
"Cut and thirst?" says Myrna.
"I like that," says Leonie. "First you murder someone and then you need a drink."

› Cut & Thirst is an entertaining story about aging, friendship, and loyalty.

A fun and witty read. Well-written, well-rounded characters (despite the short length). A timely story about long-overdue comeuppance - but with an amusing mishap. If you're a fan of Atwood's work, you'll no doubt enjoy this. If you're a fan of "cosy crime" (Osman, et al), then I think you'll also like this.

I read this one quickly this morning. Short stories just aren’t for me, I have to care about the characters a bit. If this had been a full length novel, probably would have been good.

I didn’t love this short story. It was quick so I read it but I found myself getting lost because it wasn’t keeping my attention.

I'm not generally a person who enjoys short stories, but "Cut and Thirst" had me intrigued. The writing was quick and witty- an interesting balance of serious murder plans and the light-hearted logistics of how to actually pull off said murder.

As 3 women, retired from a life in academia, try to plan the revenge murder of 8, (or is it 9?) men who ruined their friend's career, they quickly realize planning a murder is not as easy as it looks on TV.

I would happily read a full length novel, and perhaps even a series about these characters. With an abrupt end, I was left wanting to know more about these women and their individual journeys. There is much left to explore-the struggles of career failures, illnesses, and the general challenges of aging.

Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

I have always had a mixed relationship with Atwood. I like her books well enough most of the time, and some I adore, but then others feel like she's forcing the literary aspects a little too much. So, I went into this one wondering where it would fall. It's a short story and covers a significant amount of character development in its 30+ pages which I cannot help but admire. I know how hard it can be do get anything covered in 30 pages, let alone building up a story and the character of a bunch of players. I will admit that the start is a little choppy. Just kind of landing in the mix and not knowing much. While I suspect that's on purpose to try and get you engaged to read the rest, it actually worked against the story for me. There are readers who would just be turned off and put the story down because it's confusing and feels disjointed. And maybe that's some the literary coming into play because then they wouldn't stick it out to the point where things get a bit more linear and the plot starts to happen.

The book isn't really all that dramatic. But it's fun to see how these ladies all plot to get revenge on the man who have wronged their friend.

All in all, it's a good quick read. Just make sure to push through those first few moments of confusion when you get dropped into the middle of things at the start.

It is an entertaining short read that gives you a glimpse into the lives and minds of the main characters, as they devise a plan for revenge.
My only gripe with this book was the ending, it felt very sudden and even made me think I skipped a few pages, but then I don't usually read short stories so I'm not sure endings like these are more common.