From the Bookshelf of Classics Without All the Class…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
showing 3 of 3 topics
view all »
Other topics mentioning this book
Looking for a serious book to read.
By Estephanie · 31 posts · 275 views
By Estephanie · 31 posts · 275 views
last updated Jan 07, 2013 02:43AM
What Members Thought
I first read this in the late 80s: shocking, though a little far-fetched, I thought. When I joined GR in 2008, I gave it 4* from memory, but reread a year later with GR book group and gave it the full 5*.
In 2019, I skimmed it again before reading the follow-up, The Testaments (see my review HERE). Gilead no longer feels far-fetched.
Review from 2009
A wonderful hybrid: a book that is eminently readable, but packed with fascinating and thought-provoking ideas and symbolism.
It's set in the near fut ...more
In 2019, I skimmed it again before reading the follow-up, The Testaments (see my review HERE). Gilead no longer feels far-fetched.
Review from 2009
A wonderful hybrid: a book that is eminently readable, but packed with fascinating and thought-provoking ideas and symbolism.
It's set in the near fut ...more
4.5 of 5 stars. I was already a fan of Margaret Atwood when I started this book. And it completely blew me away with this incredible page-turner story. I was so intrigued by this world that had evolved from our present day society - how did that happen? Is that even possible? I still don't think so, but in this book it did.
In any case, the story follows Offred - a handmaid "Of Fred" - yes she doesn't have her own name. She is the woman responsible for giving babies to Fred (the Commander) and hi ...more
In any case, the story follows Offred - a handmaid "Of Fred" - yes she doesn't have her own name. She is the woman responsible for giving babies to Fred (the Commander) and hi ...more
This book was another one of those books written about the future that seem so true it is scary. I can just see the US becoming like the society in the book. The pendulum always swings and sometimes it swings from the far right to the far left which is sometimes just as dangerous as where the pendulum was. I wish there would have been more to the ending as I felt a little cut-off once the story ended. I would have liked to have seen a little resolution, but then, what would there have been left
...more
It took me a while to finish this book because even though it's an amazing work, it still hits too close when you're a woman. There's a chance you'll identify with Offred or Ofglen or even with the wives, but seeing as every woman in this story has it hard in a world they were dragged into it's so hard to read this and not think of what would you do if you were in this situation.
And then at some point you realize that just by being born a woman, regardless of country or religion, you're already ...more
And then at some point you realize that just by being born a woman, regardless of country or religion, you're already ...more
This book was disturbing, haunting, scary, sad and, although written decades ago, still relevant. I could see this type of society forming today as likely as it would have then. This would have been a 5 star read for me but I found I had trouble caring too much about the characters. I wanted to feel a deeper connection with Offred but didn't. Also, I could put it down and leave it down. I was interested enough to see how it ends to finish it. I actually think one of my favorite parts of the whol
...more
Apr 09, 2012
Dioni
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
1001-books,
guardian-1000-novels
Can't remember the last time I read a book that I did not want to put down. Considering the time it takes for me to finish one book these days, I finished this one in a breeze!
...more
Jul 11, 2008
Toni
marked it as to-read
Oct 30, 2012
Anne Sweeney
marked it as to-read
Aug 10, 2013
Lcmock35
added it
Feb 04, 2014
Alice
marked it as to-read
