NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE • A modern masterpiece that “reminds us of the power of truth in the face of evil” (People)—and can be read on its own or as a sequel to Margaret Atwood’s classic, The Handmaid’s Tale. “Atwood’s powers are on full display” (Los Angeles Times) in this deeply compelling Booker Prize-winning novel, now updated with additional content that … Booker Prize-winning novel, now updated with additional content that explores the historical sources, ideas, and material that inspired Atwood.
More than fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, the theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead maintains its grip on power, but there are signs it is beginning to rot from within. At this crucial moment, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results.
Two have grown up as part of the first generation to come of age in the new order. The testimonies of these two young women are joined by a third: Aunt Lydia. Her complex past and uncertain future unfold in surprising and pivotal ways.
With The Testaments, Margaret Atwood opens up the innermost workings of Gilead, as each woman is forced to come to terms with who she is, and how far she will go for what she believes.
more
A riveting sequel to A Handmaid’s Tale where we learn about the how the women of Gilead were convinced to participate in their roles, and the results of the actions of the prior book.
This story is told from the point of view of an Aunt, and two girls transitioning to womanhood as teenagers. We experience Gilead through their eyes, and have an opportunity to experience how and why they see the world as they do.
Through Margaret Atwood’s vivid characters that you come to know inside and out, you will travel on this journey with each of them as their lives intersect in powerful ways.
It is often the case when a sequel to a novel or a film is just a watered down version of the original. It has the same protagonists facing the same dilemmas with a few tweaks to the time and place setting, and a few flashy gimmicks and new characters thrown into the mix to refresh the plot. Think Star Wars.
Authors (like myself) who write series have to be very conscious of templates, repetition and stagnation. Yes, the heroes of the series grow on our readers and yes, they have to be presented with consistency. But everything else in every new sequel has to be fresh, surprising and curious: a new bookish land yet to be discovered and explored. Otherwise, it all becomes stale like the same stretch of the same congested road a commuter gets stuck on every day. Even the most ardent fans will grow bored and frustrated.
The Testaments are a lesson on how to avoid the pitfalls of sequels – the curse of the sameness. The first-person narrative moves away from June. It is now the infamous Aunt Lydia, and two teenage girls (one brought up in Gilead and the other one in Canada), who take the centre-stage. Their stories are vivid and engaging. I was guessing, I was speculating, I was biting my nails – all the things you do when the plot draws you in. The thought-provoking message of The Testaments did not detract from Atwood’s cracking story telling.
Not all of the Booker Prize winners found favour with me as a reader. Some of them I started only to find myself overwhelmed with the heavy theme or the author’s eloquent philosophical referencing. So I wouldn’t bother to read on. Atwood has a message, but that message is delivered subtly, without overpowering the story or dwarfing the characters. And that is the beauty of The Testaments.
Interesting story that picks up threads from The Handmaid’s Tale, but ultimately it lacks the suspense, the surprise, and the constant drumbeat of dread of the first book.
Even though I generally knew the outcome of The Testaments before I read it, it was still a page turner. It was intriguing being inside Aunt Lydia’s head as she revealed all the strings holding her life together and her long-range plan for the future of Gilead. It was equally fascinating seeing Aunt Lydia through the eyes of the two teenagers and hearing their quite different perspectives on Gilead.
I didn’t expect the same experience as I had when I read The Handmaid, even though many images from reading that book in 1985 are still just as clear in my mind today. I think the images from The Testaments will have a similar effect because they seem like harbingers of what could happen in any country that distorts religion and uses it to control women. The Handmaid was so shocking to me back then that it seemed like more of a horror story. But in the decades since I’ve seen how easily people can be brainwashed, controlled and turned against each other. The Testaments was a fitting follow-up to the first Gilead story and the hypocrisy of a male-dominated society that claims to value women by degrading them.
At the heart of The Testaments is the ugliness of how far people will go to elevate themselves and keep themselves in power. Margaret Atwood did a magnificent job of exposing this side of human nature if left unchecked. I only wish she would have treated us to more details of what those in power experienced as Gilead was toppled.
I read The Handmaid’s Tale years ago when it first came out. It had a powerful impact on me at the time. The Testaments, though somehow less threatening, was even more intriguing. I loved getting inside of the minds of various characters both in and out of Gilead.
The Testaments is a quick, satisfying read. Recommended – but read The Handmaid’s Tale first. It was so long ago that I read it, I wished I’d reread it before reading The Testaments. Fortunately, I remembered enough about it not to be lost in the Testaments.
I happened across a review before reading The Testaments that said the book was “unnecessary”, didn’t add anything important to The Handmaid’s Tale story, and basically a waste.
I agree with one of those statements. It was unnecessary. But so what? It was an engaging, nostalgic, and interesting read. It certainly wasn’t as groundbreaking or utterly amazing as some of Atwood’s works, but a great book nonetheless. And the final pages left me satisfied, and sweetly happy.
Maybe not necessary, but certainly worth the read.
(It’s possible if I weren’t SO in love The Handmaid’s Tale and Atwood in general, I would have given this book a 4. But I am in love, so 5 it is.)
I adore the way this was written, getting bits and pieces from different points of views. I cheered on Daisy, Agnes and Becka (probably cause women really needed a win!). I found myself conflicted about Aunt Lydia, her actions were both appalling and clever, though her motive may never have been entirely clear, it does speak to the levels a person will go through to survive, come out on top and fight for redemption. The entire book was fascinating, just utterly fascinating.
I loved how Atwood created a happy ending for this world – sort of. While at the same time leaving SO MUCH ROOM for more storytelling. Loved this book.
I feel terrible saying that I am so relieved to have finally finished this book. Unfortunately, I can’t say that I’m any more enlightened or enriched after having read it. It’s more of a stubborn curiosity that prevents me from totally abandoning a book mid way. Sometimes, I have hope that it will somehow redeem itself by the end. I knew that would not be the case in this situation did want to see how it ended.
I have so many issues with this sequel. While I didn’t particularly love The Handmaid’s Tale, the ending was abrupt but acceptable. I think the wondering and confusion sometimes makes for a satisfactory conclusion. Not all stories need sequels or explanations which can further complicate and muddy the original version. I felt that this sequel did little to impress me from the beginning. I wasn’t even half way through when I could predict the course the book would take.
I was disappointed with the predictability and monotony of the novel. I think sequels can be overrated especially when written 30 years post original novel.
Loved it!
First, I read this as part of a book club, and, since I did not read “The Handmaid’s Tale” would probably not have chosen to read the book. Having said that, I found that I was not lost because I did not read the first book. The characters here are fully fleshed out and do not need previous knowledge to be enjoyed. Some of the characters, though, are a bit cartoonish; some may say Dickensian. Commander Judd is one of those. Yes, he seems evil in his power-mad way, but would anybody really take this guy seriously for any length of time? I am afraid the other commanders would treat him with the same “respect” as Aunt Lydia. The book has very clever moments, it has some inspirational moments, but mostly the book is scary because it echoes so many of the right wing politicians and activists in their attitudes toward woman, education, the free press, and freethinkers in general. I could see Gilead breaking away from the US, more likely here in the South than in the Northeast, but I was a bit disappointed in the explanation or lack of explanation of what really happened both in its beginning and at its end. However, this is a story about people, and it works. A lot of contemporary authors fail to give us characters we understand and care about. Atwood is a master at this. At 416 pages, it is a quick weekend read. It goes fast.
This offers some answers remaining to questions brought up by the original Handmaid’s Tale. A good follow up to Handmaid’s Tale.
If you enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale, you’ll love Atwood’s follow-up to it. Told from three different first-person perspectives, the voice of each is unique enough so as not to confuse. You get the background behind the rise of Gilead, the reason for its fall, and a glimpse of what happened to the characters from the first book.
Handmaids Tale sequel is a “testament” to Margaret Atwood’s imagination based on historical information…..scary & makes me want to pay more attention to how people treat women.
The Handmaid’s Tale is one of my all time favourite books. Not having watched the TV programmes, it took me a few chapters before I was able to piece together the back story of The Testaments. After that, I couldn’t put it down. As always, Atwood, makes many astute observations which add to the readers enjoyment of the story. A great writer – a great book destined to remain a classic. What more could you ask for?
Read Handmaids Tale first!
Follow up to The Handmaid’s Tale.
Seems to exist solely to wrap up story she started in Handmaid’s Tale. Oh, well.
In the era when right-wing politicians all over the world try to control women (pro-vitae movements, traditionalists, priests, etc., the book is a dystopian novel about the world where everybody including the ruling parties, in this case, male commanders, loses freedom. It is also a touching account of an old woman set on bringing down the system which humiliated her and made her collaborate in the atrocities against women. Highly recommended reading both parts – Handmaid’s Tale and The Testaments.
Told in three parts, two witness testimonies and one a secret journal left behind by a powerful Gileadean aunt, this is the story that continues the Handmaid’s Tale. Gilead has become corrupt, and it is rotting at the core. This story is about three women involved with Gilead in different ways. Their lives all come together for a common goal.
I was concerned that Margaret Atwood’s second book would not be as good as the first. I was very wrong. This book is a masterpiece and can be enjoyed both by those who have read A Handmaid’s Tale and by those who are unfamiliar with it.