Margaret Atwood's The Heart Goes Last presents a dystopian future blending dark humor with chilling societal critique. Reviewers praise its inventive plot and sharp wit but note uneven pacing and underdeveloped characters. While the novel's satirical edge is celebrated, some find the narrative's resolution unsatisfying. Overall, it offers a provocative, if sometimes flawed, exploration of human nature.

Fans of dystopian fiction and dark satire will enjoy Margaret Atwood's The Heart Goes Last. Readers who appreciate themes of societal control and human resilience, similar to those in George Orwell's 1984 and Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, will find this book captivating and thought-provoking.

The Heart Goes Last by Margaret Atwood follows a young married couple, Stan and Charmaine, navigating a financial crash that leaves them homeless. They join the Positron Project, which offers stability in exchange for freedom, and end up entangled in secretive and morally dubious activities. Themes include love, obsession, free will, and the destructive greed within capitalist societies. Contains themes like coerced intimacy, euthanasia, and unethical practices.

Mysterious / Dark / Suspenseful / Unnerving / Contemplative

- The novel started as a serialized story called *Positron*, which was published in installments on the digital platform Byliner.
- Margaret Atwood incorporated elements of dystopian fiction and speculative satire, genres she's well-known for exploring in works like The Handmaid's Tale.
- In an interesting twist of modern literature, The Heart Goes Last features a society where economic hardship has led people to willingly enter a social experiment that includes living part-time in a prison.

**Stan**  
A protagonist struggling with feelings of inadequacy and lack of control, often finds himself swept along by circumstances and external pressures.

**Charmaine**  
A protagonist whose outwardly conventional appearance contrasts with secret desires and dreams, becomes entangled in complex personal relationships.

**Jocelyn**  
Operates Consilience's security and surveillance, her appearance and actions mark her as distinctive in a predominantly heteronormative setting.

**Max/Phil**  
Involved in an affair with Charmaine, presents an attractive and enigmatic persona that serves varying symbolic roles for other characters.

**Ed**  
CEO of the Positron Project, projects a facade of friendliness and inclusivity while engaging in ethically questionable business practices.

**Conor**  
Stan’s ambitious brother, represents a contrasting approach to life that emphasizes personal freedom and success outside conventional norms.

Margaret Atwood

Adult

Novel

Positron

Fiction

Guide

Study Guide

Before You Read

Explore The Heart Goes Last reviews, reading age recommendations, and essential genre and thematic details before you start reading.

Before You Read The Heart Goes Last | SuperSummary

title

content

Overview

Get ready to explore The Heart Goes Last and its meaning. Our full analysis and study guide provides an even deeper dive with character analysis and quotes explained to help you discover the complexity and beauty of this book.

The Heart Goes Last Summary

Background

The Heart Goes Last Background

chapter

chapterType

section

Chapter Summaries & Analyses

Chapters 1-3

The Heart Goes Last Chapters 1-3 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 4-7

The Heart Goes Last Chapters 4-7 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 8-11

The Heart Goes Last Chapters 8-11 Summary & Analysis

Chapters 12-15

The Heart Goes Last Chapters 12-15 Summary & Analysis

character

Character Analysis

The Heart Goes Last Character Analysis

theme

Themes

The Heart Goes Last Themes

Symbols & Motifs

The Heart Goes Last Symbols & Motifs

quote

citation

Important Quotes

The Heart Goes Last Important Quotes

primaryCharacter

Essay Topics

The Heart Goes Last Essay Topics

The Heart Goes Last

Before You Read

Super Short Summary

Reviews & Readership

Review Roundup

Who Should Read The Heart Goes Last?

Reading Age

Book Details