Payback: Debt and the Shadow Side of Wealth Paperback – October 7, 2008

A Students Perspective of Payback Shortly after reading this non-fiction type novel, Payback: Debt and the shadow side of wealth, I discovered that Margaret Atwood uses a wide amount of allusions and motifs, that refer back to the ancient Egyptians, the more current readings of Charles Dickens's, "A Christmas Carol", all the way down to the breaking down of the legend of Saint Nick; even though she has made a couple Christmas references this book is neither a book close to the idea of the warm season, nor does it present a whole of lot optimism throughout. I would have to say that this book touches on a variety of exposures to debt, and is more of a gathering of stories, put together, to make one big statement about debt, with the absence of argumentative writing. Broadly described, Atwood uses the amazing subject of debt to write on. The subject itself seems to relate to the main idea of debtors and creditors, as in credit cards, the purchasing of cars, and the purchasing of house. She touches the idea of money as debt quite a bit, but also touches the debts of everyday relationships as a general sense, including gifts, and life as a debt, rather than just a monetary value. She uses her own situations in life, to relate to the subject very well. As humans, we are born with a never ending tally count of debts that we have occurred, and debts that need to be repaid to us. The main theme to this book to me, would have to be the idea, that if I do something wrong to a certain person, I can assume that I will get wronged right back, in a basic sense. Debt is touched in many different lights. In a religious light Atwood refers to how debts, and sins are not only closely related, but are in fact one of the same. She proves this through the prayer reference, "forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" or "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". She also makes the example that not only the idea of sins and debts are the same, but in context may be interchangeable, and follow with a questioning statement from the above quote, "I wonder why no one has transitioned to say, "forgive us of our debts..." instead". Atwood certainly has a subtle amount of cockiness to her writing. Her use of many different pieces of work definitely shows her knowledge, but in turn the constant changing of references holds her back from getting too in depth into that piece, and incorporates the other pieces to focus only on that specific idea. In other words it seems she is only pulling the parts of the reference that specifically relate to her perspective, almost as if avoiding any situation of being challenged, or create a controversy. I personally believe her writing would be a lot better if instead of narrating a piece of reference, if she would put the idea of the piece into her own words entirely. I felt as if I read three books at the same time with all the excerpts from other stories and such. On a more positive note, I believe that Atwood's topic of debt kept me interested enough to finish it. The constant evaluations between biblical references and debts are what made it truly interesting personally. For example, the devil being the almighty creditor who bribes those with the desire for material things, sex, and money, for their lives and souls. Another biblical reference is the Virgin Mary. Atwood elaborates about how the Virgin Mary is the strongest almost "goddess" in Christianity, but even she still cannot change debts and sins. Compared to the Egyptian goddesses, who are there main gods and who are in charge of judgment and balance in its entirety. In conclusion, Atwood ends the book with a Modern recreation of Scrooge, and leaves off with a major theme, telling that we humans should focus on our debt to the world, and our debts to each other, instead of ONLY focusing on monetary financial debts. This book in total is well written and easily read; the only issue I personally don't like is the slight lacking of originality from her own perspective, and the repetitious ins and outs of allusion.-Darian C.

Payback written by Margaret Atwood is a book that takes the common concept of `debt' and analyzes various aspects of it that were not commonly known before. Atwood's insight breaks down and explains debt in a way that is comprehensible by any general reader. Though the topic itself may seem a bit boring and tedious to read about, she utilizes a creative approach to display the multiple aspects of debt that many people in today's society are not already aware of. Her five main points that she goes into depth about are: ancient balances, debt and sin, debt as a plot, the shadow side, and lastly payback through all of which she uses extended comparisons, allusions, and attention grabbing facts that cover the wide range of perspectives within the topic of debt. She makes it so this common topic is relatable to everyone- no matter their age, race, or gender. Right off the bat, Atwood begins explaining facts that to me, and likely to others, were unknown and intrigued me to read more. For instance, she brings the notion up of how animals and humans seek fairness and equality amongst one another. In order for us to interact properly we seek that we are always reciprocated for our actions in an equal value or manner of another person. Here, she begins uses one of her many examples that reiterate her point in which a study of animals proves that this primitive theory is actually true. Another highlight of her first initial introduction is that debt isn't always how we perceive it to be. It can be something as simple as returning a favor unto someone, repaying your parents for what they have done for you, or even marriage. That being said, debt as we know it today takes numerous forms that we most likely weren't aware of beforehand. Moreover, she begins to incorporate various allusions to which some are very common to most readers and others may require research in order to understand. Some common examples being Santa Claus and Ebenezer Scrooge and how the perceptions of these characters today are completely inaccurate from how they originated and what they signify. Simple allusions like these makes the reader get a new perspective into how debt and the topic of sin have been connected and going side by side for an immeasurable amount of time. Before, debt was considered to be one of the worst sins one could commit to; however, nowadays it is something that everyone must go through. Her explanation of how history connects debt to the Christian religion is fascinating because once again it shatters all preconceived notions of the mere thought of debt. Furthermore, Atwood begins to analyze the numerous different types of debt and how the relationship between creditor and debtor begins to work. Whether this be through a mortgage, pawn shops, or something else. But, more importantly she explains that debt is something that has always existed, "without memory, there is no debt...without story, there is not debt" (page 81) and will continue to exist because of the mere fact that we have memory. There is always something to needs to be paid back, or returned to the creditor who had given you the opportunity. Also, she begins expanding upon the fact that wealth brings us to only be consumed by ourselves and not have a care for what is going on around us. She explains this through the allusion of using Ebenezer Scrooge once more; however, she redoes the story of how he realizes that its wrong to keep everything for himself. It was an innovative way to display the same type of moral message through her idea of modern day society. In conclusion, I would recommend this book to anyone--the reason being that she did not intend her audience to be within a specific range of people, anyone can understand what she has written about. She analyzed, explained, and related every possible aspect of debt to show its connections to history, people, and you along with summing it all up and displaying what it all means. I enjoyed her way of including numerous allusions to reiterate her main points which made it easier to understand as well. Atwood, in my opinion did a splendid job on this work because she opened my mind and eyes to the topic of debt and wealth that I had no prior knowledge of beforehand.

I read Margaret Atwood when her Handmaids Tale won prizes years ago. I preferred the TV version. This book however is a really good read of a serious topic which could be seen as difficult. It's a series of lectures yet, or maybe because of that, it flows really well. Totally recommend, which I have done to so many friends I now have no idea where my copy is !!

I love Margaret Atwood's novels - this started well - very absorbing - but sorry to say I had to give up half-way through - like wading through porridge!

This is an usual but important book. While the earlier chapters are interesting, it is the final chapter that has most resonance. Written but a non-economist, it reminds us that economics should not be about boring numbers and statistics, but the impact of our actions on the wider society and environment. Oour politicians could read and learn from this.

This was clever and witty and a great exposee of debt in all its forms, financial, moral and last, but not least, our debt to Mother Earth. Wonderful!

This 2nd-hand book was in better condition than I expected, from the description. Great value