ºìÐÓÖ±²¥app

The acclaimed author of such compelling novels as, The Handmaid’s Tale and The Blind Assassin, which won the Booker Prize in 2000, is coming to ºìÐÓÖ±²¥app Nov. 29-30. Margaret Atwood is the 2011 recipient of The Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox Visiting Scholars and Writers Program award and will present a reading on Tuesday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. in the Anita Tuvin Schlechter (ATS) Auditorium, West Louther Street between College and Cherry streets. She will be presented with the award that evening.

Atwood also will present a Q-and-A session followed by a book signing on Wednesday, Nov. 30 at 10:30 a.m. in the Stern Center, Great Room, West Louther Street between College and North West streets. The events are free and open to the public. On Monday, Nov. 28, the Carlisle Theater will show "The Handmaid's Tale," the 1990 film adaptation of Atwood's 1985 novel.

Atwood is a novelist, poet, literary critic, essayist and environmental activist. Throughout her writing career, she has received numerous awards and honorary degrees. She is the author of more than 50 volumes of poetry, children’s literature, fiction and non-fiction and is best known for her novels, including The Edible Woman (1970), The Handmaid’s Tale (1983), The Robber Bride (1994), Alias Grace (1996) and The Blind Assassin (2000). Her most recent novel, The Year of the Flood (2009), was hailed by The New York Times as “…a gripping and visceral book that showcases [Atwood’s] pure storytelling talents.�

The Stellfox Visiting Scholars and Writers Program is a gift from Jean Louise Stellfox, a 1960 graduate of Dickinson who was inspired to become an English teacher after meeting Robert Frost during the poet’s visit to the college in 1959. When Stellfox died in 2003, her estate provided $1.5 million to the college to continue her mission of inspiring students by bringing renowned literary figures to campus. Stellfox named the program in honor of her parents, Harold and Ethel L. Stellfox.

While in residency at Dickinson, the distinguished recipient visits classes, holds a seminar for aspiring writers, gives readings and presentations and shares meals with students and faculty. Previous Stellfox award recipients include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo, three-time Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Edward Albee and Pulitzer Prize-winning poets Maxine Kumin and Rita Dove.