Now a Hulu Original SeriesThe Handmaid’s Tale is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to, and going beyond, the repressive … beyond, the repressive intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men in its population.
The story is told through the eyes of Offred, one of the unfortunate Handmaids under the new social order. In condensed but eloquent prose, by turns cool-eyed, tender, despairing, passionate, and wry, she reveals to us the dark corners behind the establishment’s calm facade, as certain tendencies now in existence are carried to their logical conclusions. The Handmaid’s Tale is funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing. It is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and a tour de force. It is Margaret Atwood at her best.
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Chilling, disturbing, but disappointingly, not that engaging. I read this after finishing “East of Mecca” because it’s mentioned in that book. Excellent book! If you liked “The Handmaid’s Tale,” you have got to read “East of Mecca.” In “Handmaid,” the protagonist Offred, a handmaid, is living in the former United States, where Gilead, a violently …
We read this book for book club this past month. Lots to discuss. I really enjoyed it as the book spent a lot of time setting up Olfred’s world, which is something I always appreciate in novels. The pace of the plot, however, was on the slow side. But I thought it worked well as that was the world she lived in. Truly her days consisted of very …
Strangely seductive
I stumbled upon this book in my high school library some twenty years ago and it has haunted me ever since. At the time, I thought it a far-fetched dystopian nightmare. Now, it feels eerily prescient. I would absolutely recommend this… but be aware it will haunt you.
Did not like it one bit.
A bit slow. Terrible ending.
In the totalitarian theocracy that is the Republic of Gilead, Handmaids are “two-legged wombs, that’s all: sacred vessels, ambulatory chalices.” They are there simply for “breeding purposes”, enclosed within the white wings of their caps, and imprisoned within barriers and walls manned by Guardians. In this patriarchal society, the names of the …
Extremely scary
If we don’t watch out, we could find ourselves living in Gilead. A cautionary tale about what could happen if the lunatic fringe of rightwingers get their way: independent women turned into.slaves, legalized rape, forced pregnancy.
This book certainly hooked me in. It was futuristic and felt like a warning to society to not go to extremes with religiosity and imposing the will of some over others. I don’t want to go into detail for fear it might be a spoiler.
One point off for the ending…but that’s probably subjective.
A good read.
The book was thought provoking and made for an excellent discussion with fellow readers.
What the heck did I just read? THIS was made into a tv series? Glad I didn’t spend money on a Hulu subscription.
An interesting read, especially in today’s world where women’s rights seem to be heading in the wrong direction.
A phenomenal book, which you will never forget once read.
A thought provoking, engaging read.
Poorly written, poorly plotted, I was very disappointed as I expected much more from this book.
I don’t completely understand the enthusiasm for this story.
It’s tedious reading.
A hideous vision of what kind of future is possible. We all need to be more aware of what’s going on around us.
A scary view of a dystopian future. Truly a cautionary tale!
Science fiction that is very relatable to women