The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1) in Building a SciFi/Fantasy Library

Jan 20, 2011 Andrew rated it really liked it

Ok where to start with this book - well first of all there are far better reviews than anything I could post. The book is as the cover rightly says, is a modern classic and I will not challenge that.

The book has undergone many reprints, has been turned in to a film and there are several literary dissertations on it (and that is all that I am aware of I am sure there are more)

But what of the book itself - it is chillingly believable - even more so with the state of the world. On one had you see ...more

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Jul 13, 2021 William rated it it was amazing

Shelves: series, apocalyptic, dystopia, goodreads-authors, e, read-in-2021

This is an example of the offspring of fanaticism and government overreach gone wrong. The sad thing is that I can almost see us spiraling down into a similar hole. I like to think that the world is more nuanced and intelligent than that but this kind of thing has happened before (think Germany, 1930's).
Offred was an interesting character. In a lot of books like this, the main character would be shown as brave and stoic. They would not crack under pressure. Offred tells us right away that if pu ...more

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Mar 05, 2008 Maurean rated it really liked it

Altho they were completely different stories, just as the first Atwood I read ("Alias Grace") took some time to grab my interest, so too, did "The Handmaid's Tale". However, once it succeeded in capturing my attention, it held it firm and fast.
The attitudes and values that parallel those present in today's society are alarmingly clear(if somewhat exagerated) and extremely frightening! The references to using plastic rather than paper money; the identipasses; the Compubanks....earily familiar.
Wha ...more

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Jan 20, 2008 Kylie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2007, dystopian, no-longer-own

I'm a big fan of dystopian novels and was really looking forward to reading this one after all the reviews I'd read. I wasn't disappointed! The style of writing was a little different from what I was used to and I found it a bit hard to get a feeling for the personality of Offred (I guess that was intended, but still...). However, I found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable read, and one that made me think (and appreciate my life). I look forward to reading more Margaret Atwood in the future. ...more

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