From the Bookshelf of Nothing But Reading Challenges…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Written in 1986, The Handmaid's Tale is disturbing, frightening, and almost prophetic in its telling of the downward spiral that can be the consequence to society when extremist views of any ilk are translated to violent action. This was a compelling read - I didn't want to find out what had created the world in which Offfred resided, but I was drawn into the telling and the horror of what fanaticism produces: never the intended freedoms that are so anticipated, but the dehumanization of members
...more
Honestly more of a 4.5, but I decided to round up because I really did love the book. I haven't read this since my early 20s and I appreciate it just as much, if not more this time around. I've been recently reading some books dealing with slavery too and I am fascinated with how the human spirit resists attempts to crush it completely - both fictional and true. I think this book is so chilling because it doesn't seem too far outside the realm of possibility - which I'm sure is why the book is h
...more
So I finally read one of the most iconic pieces of Canadian Literature. And this one being my second title from Atwood, I have to say the lady is very reliable for churning out disturbing cautionary tales of bleak future. Her stories don't particularly blow me away, but they still manage to provoke deep thoughts and glue me to their pages for hours. I highlighted the crap out of my copy, and I'm sure I'll be thinking about some of the passages for a long while.
...more
Quotes/parts I liked:
We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.
We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom.
We lived in the gaps between the stories.
But remember that forgiveness too is a power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest.
Maybe none of this is about control. Maybe it isn't really about who can own whom ...more
We lived, as usual, by ignoring. Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance, you have to work at it.
We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom.
We lived in the gaps between the stories.
But remember that forgiveness too is a power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest.
Maybe none of this is about control. Maybe it isn't really about who can own whom ...more
I don't like the science-fiction novels or the novels that give a pessimistic view of future. this book is very controversial. In one review, I have read that the way the Islamic Regime of Iran behave Iranian women to force to wear scarf and hijab inspired Margaret Atwood in this novel. the book won literary award and the critics welcome it, however, I don't like it. The way she explains the women's status in this imaginary society is totally pessimistic.
...more
To say this book is beautifully written is an understatement. To be reading it during this time in history is especially harrowing. This should be required reading. The ending came up and gut punched me, but after reflection, it makes perfect sense. The Hulu show has done an excellent job with the source material and is exquisitely acted. Do both, share it with loved ones and stay alert in the #resistance.
This was a strange book. I was compelled to read and finish it though. We did have an interesting discussion at book club. As being mostly women we were very much appalled and yet we knew it could easily happen. I don't want to be a doomsday person but it definitely reminded me that history repeats itself.
...more
A gripping tale of life in a theocracy. A distopian US has been taken over by a Christian fundamentalist theocracy, which severely represses women. A harrowing tale.
4.5 felt a little slow for me to get into, but wow.
Jan 22, 2012
Audrey
marked it as to-read
Oct 22, 2012
Alex
marked it as to-read
Mar 18, 2015
Anna Katharine
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
too-good-to-read-only-once,
2015
Apr 04, 2015
Lindsay
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
z-own,
z-own-hardcover
Feb 08, 2016
Nikki Spencer
marked it as to-read
Jan 11, 2017
Maddie **~~MotherOfOneDragon~~**
marked it as to-read
