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.
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This was a great book. I had read the first book and the watch the show by the time it came out. I feel like watching the show gave me a different idea and understanding of the book then if i hadn’t seen the show. But overall a good read!
This book was even better than the handmaids tale. It gives additional insight and perspective!
Incredible!
Margaret Atwood continues with Gilead a society where women are seen as reproductive vessels.One of the commanders states You do agree that human beings are at their Most unhappy when in the midst of chaos. We are reminded of the evil that ensues when governments deprive their citizens of their rights and freedom in the name of orderThe author writes The collective memory is notoriously faulty, and much of the past sinks in the ocean of time . A bird of the air shall carry the voice,and that which hath wings shall tell the matter love is as strong as death.We are reminded to err is human and in making our own mistakes we learn to fly a splendid cautionary tale
I realize that I’m in the minority in my opinion on The Testaments. The beginning was promising, but it quickly deteriorated into a slog of a read. Atwood’s extreme distaste with the state of today’s politics is clear, as is what I assume are her negative views on men, women, unborn babies and all other humans.
If you have questions about what came after The Handmaid’s Tale, the answers are here. This is the perfect follow up! I loved this from the beginning to the end. The narrators of the audiobook give a wonderful performance if that’s your chosen route.
Atwood delivers the final chapter on Gilead in a captivating style of braided narrative among three women. I confess, I haven’t been watching the televised version of Gilead, and hadn’t re-read the Handmaid’s Tale when I picked this up. But, with a little concentration it was easy to follow the story-line from before. It was fascinating to read about how Aunt Lydia turned to the dark side. The author’s note that everything in the book should have a historic precedent was chilling but one can easily track the use disinformation and sabotage in today’s headlines. My one disappointment was how easily she ended the regime–I don’t think it works quite that smoothly…
Thought-provoking, a wonderful sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale
This long awaited sequel did not disappoint!
I haven’t read The Handmaid’s Tale but I have watched the series. I love to see how this ended and while it took a while to get used to the way the book was written, I really enjoyed it. I tore through this in three days. An excellent sequel!
Not quite as good as the first one but I still really enjoyed it
2.5 rounded up. Felt like fan fiction.
Did Atwood sell out???
Great sequel that takes place many years after The Handmaid’s Tale. It won’t give you Offred’s story, if that is what you’re looking for. Instead, it continues the story of Gilead from the perspectives of three different women. Fascinating!
Excellent book. Wonderfully written.
There is nothing I love more than a great book, EXCEPT, for a sequel to a really great book! At a time when it seems our nation is falling apart, Atwood’s message about the need to stand up and be heard couldn’t be more spot on.
Gloria Squitiro: Author of May Cause Drowsiness and Blurred Vision: The Side Effects of Bravery—YOU, Too! can OVERCOME ANXIETY and live a bigger more carefree life—Become a New and Better You!
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Great follow-up to The Handmaids Tale
How do totalitarian societies end? In this case, they implode from within. A well-crafted narrative of the end of Gilead. Through witness testimonies from two young women–one inside Gilead, the other in Canada–and the voice from within the powerful regime, we learn of the absurd rules that govern this theocratic system where women’s rights are stripped away, making them brain-washed vessels for birthing babies, property of the state. There is corruption, secrets, subverted plots to keep the reader engaged. Brilliantly ending with a symposium of scholars who study the defunct empire, all the questions we readers have are answered. Bravo, Atwood. A very timely book.
This book takes place 15 years in the future after The Handmaid’s Tale. Gilead still has a grip on its society, but the inner circle is begining to crack.
The book covers several women – an Aunt who is trying to change the course of history, a young girl who grew up outside of Gilead and will soon be used as a pawn to bring it down; and a young girl who grew up inside Gilead but decided to change her fate when she chose not to marry the Commander assigned to her, and instead became an Aunt.
These three women, along with others who are working in an undercover group called Mayday, are determined to bring Gilead to its end. But their success is fragile. The women need to decide how far they will go to change things.
I liked this book. Better than I thought I would. I think what I liked about it was that 1) it took place quite a bit into the future – not right after Handmaid’s Tale ended. 2) it wasn’t like the TV show (which I haven’t loved). 3) That women who were part of this world decided it was time to fight for change.
I am glad I read it. Is it top literature? No. But I really hadn’t liked the Handmaid’s Tale (more on the fact that the content disturbed me and with today’s political climate – made me nervous), so this was a better “end” to what I am assuming is this book series.
Gilead from three perspectives- all female. We are introduced to a young girl as she reaches marriageable age. We also witness Gilead from an Aunt and another young girl living in Canada perception. As a fan of A Handmaid’s Tale, I thoroughly enjoyed this long awaited addition, particularly the chapters from Aunt Lydia’s viewpoint.
A fascinating and skilfully written account that gives a deeper insight into the origins and workings of Gilead. Highly recommend!
I just listened to this as an audio book, which had great performers reading for the main characters. I was so sad it was over. It was very edge-of-your seat. Highly recommended.