From the Bookshelf of Sci-fi and Heroic Fantasy…

The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1)

Margaret Atwood

Start date: March 1, 2017

Finish date: March 25, 2017

Discussion: Book Discussions

Discussion leader: RJ - Slayer of Trolls

Why we're reading this: Group Classic Novel discussion March 2017
#22 on NPR's Top 100 SF/F novels of all time (2011 poll) http://…more
[close] Group Classic Novel discussion March 2017
#22 on NPR's Top 100 SF/F novels of all time (2011 poll) http://www.npr.org/2011/08/11/1390858...
#38 on Locus Magazines Best SciFi novels of the 20th century http://www.locusmag.com/2012/AllCentu...

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What Members Thought

Jan 04, 2014 Barbara rated it really liked it

This book was considered an "instant classic" upon publication. There are a million synopses available so mine isn't needed, but real quick - the story is about a Christian fundamentalist takeover of the United States. Women in this society have absolutely no freedom, are forbidden to read, and are assigned roles like housekeeper, cook, indoctrinator, etc. The "handmaids" are forced to bear children for the Commanders who are in charge of the government. A book with a political point of view for ...more

18 likes · Like · see review

Dec 14, 2012 Diana Marques | Papéis e Letras rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, kobo, sci-fi, 2013, favourites, dystopia, 1001-to-read-before-you-die

Last year I read Oryx and Crake and absolutely loved it. So this year I wanted to try another book by Margaret Atwood and I chose this one.
The Handmaid's Tale presents us a distopic and teocratic society in which the reproduction of the human race is vital and women are viewed only as bodies capable of creating life. Well, at least some women, the Handmaids. They dress all in red and their fuction is to give birth to babies, since women (and men) have become sterile and a fertile woman is always ...more

4 likes · Like · see review

Feb 27, 2015 Frank rated it really liked it

This is a classic science fiction tale and I'm impressed by how well it's stood up over time. I'm more than a little scared by how a story of women forced to give up their freedom, surrender control of their bodies and live in a society dominated by religious beliefs is even more on point today than it may have been 20 years ago. ...more

1 like · Like · see review