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.

This is a short story about 3 women plotting to take revenge on a group of men who made their friends life miserable. They are planning to kill them in different ways. This is a fun read, it’s quick it’s funny the characters are well fleshed out for a short story. It’s a great read for the lovely weather. I encourage everyone to pick it up and sit in the sun and just have a good time. It’s available on kindle unlimited

Good short story very easy to get into just wish it was a little longer as once you got into it, it ended.

I took part in a readalong organised by the Tandem Collective, in return for a digital download of this short story.

It was fun and fast-moving, and exceptionally well-written, as you’d expect from Margaret Atwood.

The ending was perhaps a bit predictable and a bit subdued, but certainly it’s a tonic to the current trend in revenge stories, reminding us that time will bring its own kind of justice to those who slight us.

Definitely worth reading, and I’m glad I took part.

Three word review: time avenges all.

A witty short story with likable characters, but ends rather abruptly?
Thanks to Netgalley for a copy of the book!