The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

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The Handmaid's Tale

February 17, 1986 / 324 pages / Fiction

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The Handmaid's Tale is not only a radical and brilliant departure for Margaret Atwood, it 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, 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 intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men of 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 tour de force. It is Margaret Atwood at her best.

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Dystopian

Women

Feminism

Human Rights

Women's rights

Social Commentary

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1986

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Synopsis

The Handmaid's Tale is not only a radical and brilliant departure for Margaret Atwood, it 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, 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 intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men of 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 tour de force. It is Margaret Atwood at her best.

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The narrative in this book was compelling and eerily spot-on. I enjoyed the intermittent flashback style of story-telling,and the references to our present day society gave the book a hauntingly realistic feel. This is especially true for someone who lives and works close to where the book is set. It is all too easy to understand the circumstances that lead to this fictional dystopia. This should be required reading for everyone, but especially all women.

Grade: A+ / HeathersCorner

/ Sep 22, 2017

I really enjoyed this dystopian novel, written long before dystopian became a trend, about a society where handmaids are the upper crusts' baby makers. As dystopians go, this was original and frightening.

Grade: A+ / lalareads / Jul 6, 2014

Very interesting book with a new take on the old Orwellian nightmare.

Grade: A / Kenny / Sep 15, 2013

My first Margaret Atwood book, unlike a lot of my fellow Canadian friends for some reason I was never required to read her in school. I'm glad I went with this book as my first. It was interesting, very graphic, and completely unexpected. Honestly, I'm not sure what I expected. Great read none the less!

Grade: B / Stargrace / Feb 13, 2014

Beautiful writing that tells the tale of a very scary (and scarily believable) Dystopian society.

Grade: B+ / SniffaCat

/ Jun 14, 2017

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