The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1) in Overdue Podcast

Jan 13, 2011 Lee-Ann rated it it was amazing

Shelves: time-for-a-re-read-or-two

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I first read 'The Handmaid's Tale' way back in 1985. I was 20 years old. Times today being what they are, I figured (like lots of folks) it was also time for a re-read. But instead of actually reading it, I listened to the audio book performed by Claire Danes (which I HIGHLY recommend - she does an amazing job!) In so many ways, it just breaks my heart that now- at the age of 51 -I feel we are so much closer to living this type of dystopia than we were 31 years ago.

https://smile.amazon.com/The-H I first read 'The Handmaid's Tale' way back in 1985. I was 20 years old. Times today being what they are, I figured (like lots of folks) it was also time for a re-read. But instead of actually reading it, I listened to the audio book performed by Claire Danes (which I HIGHLY recommend - she does an amazing job!) In so many ways, it just breaks my heart that now- at the age of 51 -I feel we are so much closer to living this type of dystopia than we were 31 years ago.

https://smile.amazon.com/The-Handmaid...

So, here are some random thoughts on 'The Handmaid's Tale' (spoilers ahead!):

• After remembering that the book is actually supposed to be a transcript of a verbal recording, I realized that LISTENING to it as an audio-book is actually a great way to experience it! It really brings home the genius of Atwood’s writing… I realized that the way she wrote sounds the way an educated, thoughtful person would tell a story of their own life.
• I think Offred was definitely pregnant by the end of the book. After she first sleeps with Nick, she says more than once how tired she is, and how hungry, after what is always minimal physical exertion.
• The ending is not as ambiguous as it seems. We find out in the historical notes at the end, from the far-future scholarly symposium, that the original source text of the handmaid’s tale was NOT actually text, it was in the form of oral memoir recording on cassette tape. During the symposium, we are told there is no way Offred could have recorded them while she was serving as a handmaid. They had to have been recorded AFTER she was taken from the Commander’s house. If Atwood had REALLY wanted to leave the ending up in the air, she wouldn’t have added the conceit of the scholarly symposium to begin with.
• During the symposium, we learn the tapes were found in what was known as a safe house on the ‘Underground FemaleRoad.’ Therefore, we know she got out of Gilead. So although we never learn of Offred’s final fate, we do know she escaped. And for me, that is enough to consider it a hopeful ending.
• Fun fact: One of the scholars at the symposium is from Cambridge! The thought of Cambridge (or Oxford) still being around in 2195 is one that warms my heart.
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