Published: March 16, 1998 by: Anchor Books
Pages: 311
Rating: 5/5 stars
Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. Her sole duty is to bear children for her Commander and his infertile wife. She is not allowed to leave the house unless instructed, she is not allowed to read, and most importantly, she is not allowed to to poison herself with birth control and abortion, methods that are what led the world to have to be cleansed by the Gilead in the first place. Offred had a life beforehand, but that doesn't matter now. She is sworn to serve her Commander for the rest of her fertile life, or she might risk being sent to The Colonies.
I knew I had to pick up this book after being completely engrossed in the tv show. I don't know what possessed me to start watching, but I was so into it that reading the book after the season ended seemed inevitable, Now I have had problems with Atwood in the past, but this book surely redeemed herself for me and gave me a message so powerful and so scarily relevant to today.
Offred's life sucks. Her and all the other Handmaids are bound by the radical Christian group, the Gilead, who took over the formerly known United States and made it impossible for women to have any rights. Seem familiar? It's really telling that this book was sort of resurrected during this day and age, because women are going through such similar issues in the US right now when it comes to rights for birth control and reproductive health. Now obviously the US is not nearly as harsh as the Gilead, but what I find amazing is that the handmaid has become sort of a symbol now to women of feminism.
I loved this story. I thought it was shocking, twisted, and disturbing, but I could not put it down as I just needed to know what happened next. I do think Atwood wrote this as a cautionary tale, and rightfully so. I think this is a book that every woman should read if they need some inspiration to go out there and stand up to the patriarchy.
Have you read The Handmaid's Tale? What did you think?
Emily @ Paperback Princess
Strangely enough I bought a copy of this the other week, i dont normally go for this genre but just wanted to see what all the fuss was about really.
ReplyDeleteI hope you love it! It's not your typical sci-fi, dystopia novel.
DeleteI haven't watched the show or read the book, but you've really convinced me I should. I'll probably cry a lot and get furious, but it looks like an incredible book with an incredible message.
ReplyDeleteLovely review :)
Amy @ A Magical World Of Words
You totally should!! I hadn't really paid any attention to it before I saw the show, and I became completely hooked!
DeleteI definitely want to read this - and soon - and your review just made me or the more excited for it. I want to watch the show as well, so I'm glad you liked that too, but I'll definitely wait until I finally pick up the book and watch it after.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review!
Veronika @ The Regal Critiques
Yeah, I think it's a good idea to read the book before watching the show, it helps you to understand all the terms better. I hope you love it, Veronika!
DeleteAtwood is an author I'm aware of but in a vague 'I know that's an author' kind of way! Lol. Maybe I'll remember her a little more clearly now. Interesting review Em :)
ReplyDeleteShe's a Canadian icon, her books are pretty much everywhere over here. I think you'd really like this one :)
DeleteThis sounds so interesting :D I've heard of The Handmaiden's Tale around...but never really wanted to pick it up, because I never knew what it was about. Good to see you enjoyed it - I might start the TV show first - that always gets me hooked!
ReplyDeleteYes, please do!! You'll love the show and it will just get you more motivated to read the book!
DeleteI was the opposite in that I had to read this for English and then couldn't get into the TV show! Even though I didn't enjoy the book as much as you did I agree that it's VERY important to our society today.
ReplyDeleteOh no!! I'm sorry you weren't that big of a fan :( I've had troubles with some of Atwood's books before though.
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