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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Strange book, read it for Book Club – would not have been a book I’d read otherwise.
I wasn’t impressed
Mostly a good read, while the end dragged on a bit.
A disturbing glimpse into a not impossible-or too far off-dystopian future. Excellent story, equally excellent writing.
5 stars
A classic and eerie work of dystopian fiction. In a future society, the Republic of Gilead, Offred is a handmaid whose purpose in life is to procreate. The tale follows her life as a handmaid while she recalls her former life before the coup that led to the establishment of the new society. In the Republic of Gilead men and women have assigned …
A riveting well-written book that I found as engaging and relevant in my second reading in 2017 as I did when I read it years ago.
Truely a diamond in the rough. If you haven’t read this your missing out.
I recently revisited this book which has gone from a “this is ridiculous and could never happen propaganda” to “required reading” to an “eerie, prophetic warning that actually seems possible” within my lifetime. I was left shaken during my reread of this dystopian novel that deals primarily with the subjugation of women. Drawing from perverted …
Excellently written, wonderful story!! I highly recommend reading this.
I found this book to be a little odd…the way it was written anyway. I had a little trouble following what was going on, who was who, and when certain things were happening. That is the reason for my 4 star review rather than a five star, because as far as the actual story went, I loved it. I was a bit horrified honestly because it does seem too …
I didn’t like this book at all. All my female friends love this book and say its a feminist book but it is not a book about feminism at all. How is a story about a religious group oppressing women and the women are too scared to do anything and nothing ever happens to end their suffering a feminist book? The concept of the book was something i …
Margaret Atwood is who inspired me to fall in love with “high” literature. Reads as smoothly as genre fiction with the technical skills of a master of her craft. The research Atwood put into this book is evident, but woven seamlessly through the fiction. If you’ve never been a fan of literature outside of genre, try Atwood, and specifically The …
I read The Handmaid’s Tale years ago. Who knew it would blow up on HULU?
Considering the current attitude toward women’s right to choose, this book is oddly relevant. Especially since it was published in 1986.
Women are only vessels for the rich and powerful men who rule the world. Their sterile wives not only condone, but participate in the …
Margaret Atwood is a phenomenal writer, and this book portrays her at her best. It is haunting and eerily possible – a book that sticks with you long after you have put it down.
This book is Stepford Wives meets 1984. It will scare you straight to continue the fight against men controlling women’s lives and bodies unopposed. It’s a glimpse into what the future could be if things get out of hand.
This was an interesting read but I hated the ending.
Everyone should read this book especially those who think there should be a law or regulation for every little thing that goes wrong.
A post apocalyptic dystopian tale in the first person. Very interesting, although because of the way it is written it is a bit hard to get into, but the story was so compelling I really couldn’t put it down. i was a bit disappointed with the end. Seemed there was not much resolution but I think maybe the author wanted it that way. I would …
Dystopian world view of the plight of women in a religious totalitarian society. An excellent informative read when I first encountered it 20+ years ago; today under the Trump regime aided by the rise of extreme Christian influence within our government I find it more compelling than ever. Presently The Handmaid’s Tale is a warning to women of how …