The Mystery of the Two Margarets Margaret Bezan and Margaret Atwood

“A masterclass in how to write a mesmerizing memoir.” Why is this memoir also a mystery? Because its two Margarets, one a nobody and the other a celebrity, have these biographical overlaps. Both have the middle-name Eleanor. Both were born in Canada in November 1939. Both were students at Toronto University at the end of the 50s. Both majored there in English. Both, after leaving university, spent most of their free time writing. In their early mid-twenties, both spent most of their writing time writing poetry. Both, as young women and before feminism’s second wave, were influenced by Simone de Beauvoir’s The Second Sex. Both worked for a marketing research company in Toronto in 1963. Both occasionally experienced palpitations of the heart. And for a period in their twenties, both used hair-straightener.
So, were there two Margarets or only one? “A good question,” says Fullbrook, “but for me as the storyteller its answer makes but marginal difference. The story . . . is not about celebrities, but about those nobodies – at least at the time – who, passing casually through my life or yours, give precious gifts”.

“This is a stunning book - full of beautiful surprises and mysteries - written by a master storyteller . . . I couldn’t stop reading it - I had to find out the ending - and it doesn’t disappoint " - Martin Packard (Amazon)

“Compellingly written and fascinating memoir of an extraordinary man . . . Unputdownable and original.” - Helen T (Amazon)

“A book of many mysteries and life travels unravelled by a fine storyteller with great humour and reflective wisdom. Loved it.” - Andrew Sprod (Amazon)