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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I’ve never read a book by Margaret Atwood and I always enjoy trying out new authors. The Handmaid’s Tale did not disappoint. It reads in first person present tense and you really have to be aware of the change in tenses in order to keep track of the flashbacks and not get lost along the way. Great characters and great story plot. There’s no back …
Disjointed, incomplete and badly written with an obvious agenda.
I read the Handmaid’s Tail way back when it first was published. It was then and still is on my “best book” list. It had a great in pack on me personally when I first read it and the story often comes to my mind as I watch the war between the two sides of the abortion war interact and fight for what they think is right. Great read by a great …
Ugh. Even I wanted to hate men after reading it, and I am one.
It’s hard to believe this book was written in the mid-1980s. So much of it reflects the political upheavals we are experiencing today. A well written albeit depressing view of a dystopian world where women have no power. A cautionary tale of things that might be.
Of course this is the original anti-feminist story. They take away our ownership of our bodies and all else follows.
Thought provoking
Silly. Don’t bother.
A bit of feminist pablum, but, ok.
Hated it. Couldnt stop reading it. I had no expectations of the book, as I hadn’t read the intro.
Reminded me of the Divergent series. Science fiction and horror, my two least favorites.
We all already know it’s a classic. It’s scary because it could come true—and much more so than when Atwood wrote it. Prescient, she was.
Reading this book during current times in the US was haunting. Unfortunately the dystopian future presented seems all too real
Tried 2 times and simply couldn’t get into the story.
Not up to all the hype. Poorly written, leaves you wanting more. Unsatisfying read.
I read this shortly after it was released. I was in university and not yet married. I went to the ATM immediately and ever since have kept cash on my person. The most bone-chillingly terrifying book I have ever read in my life.
I never knew what was coming next. Totally absorbing!
I read this book a million years ago. I definitely recommend it, especially these days. With this president, I think something like this could absolutely happen.
chilling, disturbing, intriguing. Excellent writing.
Completely original. Unforgettable. Have read it several times.
I liked it but did not really get the expected bang I had heard about. Maybe it was the lack of action in the book that made a big difference.