Fiction (and Non) as Career Inspiration: Art & Archeology

“Cat’s Eye” (1988) was Margaret Atwood’s next novel after “The Handmaid’s Tale.” It is not until the 49th chapter of 75 that we learn that the protagonist, Elaine Risley, is in the auditorium of the Royal Ontario Museum attending a survey course in Art and Archeology at the University of Toronto. This is her career turn from a prior path that was bending towards biology. Being able to draw bodily innards with exceptional rendition leads to painting. It is funny sometimes how career paths evolve. Perhaps “Cat’s Eye” is a book for young adults more so than for teens. The personal story of Elaine gets intense. But Canada’s Grande Dame of literature never disappoints any reader as she opens us to the realities of life, bullying in this novel. She gives us more than a glimpse into the a…