(laughter) and he said i must do the handmaid's tale, i have to do the handmaid's tale, it's the firstmmission for the royal danish opera in 34 years. but if i can't do the handsmaid's tale, i don't want to do any opera at all. - how could you say no. - well i thought he was-- okay either he's crazy and it will be bad and it will just go away, or else he's not crazy and it'll be good. so why not take a chance? so it was good it was terrific. it was actually great. - so opera and now a graphic novel. - yes and i haven't told you about the ballet either. (laughter) - and there's a ballet? - yes. - wow. well i'm fascinated by this, i'm gonna be sure to look for that graphic novel that'll be very interesting i think. - you might not be able to avoid it. - i may not. (laughter) - we're gonna stop here, congratulations on this. - thank you very much. - [evan] it's an honor to get to meet you. - oh thanks. - [evan] it really is and a pleasure to talk to you. - and you too. - great margaret atwood thank you so much. (crowd applauds) - [voiceover] we'd love to have you join us in the studio. vi

. - i'm evan smith she's an acclaimed poet, critic and novelist best known for the handmaid's tale, cat's eye, the blind assassin, and oryx and crake. her latest book the heart goes last has just been published. she's margaret atwood this is overheard. (inspiring music) (applause) - [evan] let's be honest is this about the ability to learn or about the experience of not having to talk at all. how have you avoided what has befallen other nations in africa-- you say that he had made his own bed, but you caused him to sleep in it. you saw a problem and over time took it on-- (laughter) let's start with the sizzle before we get to the steak. are you going to run for president?