The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1) in Pick-a-Shelf

Apr 14, 2010 BJ Rose rated it really liked it

Shelves: spring-challenge, library-books, futuristic, 1001-books, dystopia

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 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 of society as the leaders attempt to create a new and better world. As the Commander said, when he was virtually acknowledging that they had created an unacceptable, unwanted world: "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. We thought we could do better." The assassination of a president is too sadly believable, but the planned, violent takeover of government by the machine-gunning of the entire Congress?This is still unbelievable to me, but isn't that what people of other countries felt before it happened to them?

Another quote: "Truly amazing, what people can get used to, as long as there are a few compensations." But what happens when there are NO compensations, as was the case for the Handmaids, who were totally dehumanized. Is this when unrest leads to uprisings and rebellion and outbreaks of resistance?

There were many lovely tidbits of thought sprinkled throughout this Tale - but then, when you have nothing but time, as was the case in Offred's existence (have you noticed that I refrain from calling it her life? since no real living appears to be available to her), it must help to think of things beyond the routine of living. Some of my favorites: 'one and one and one and one doesn't equal 4 because each one remains unique'
"Why is it that night falls, instead of rising like the dawn? You can see the darkness rising from the horizon... like a black cloud."

I was really touched by her prayer, as she's thinking her way through the Our Father...
"I don't believe for an instant that what's going on out there is what you want"
We need you to provide a heaven... Hell we can create for ourselves."
"You must feel pretty ripped off. I guess it's not the first time."

And how said when life is so bland and bleak, so scripted and restricted, that thinking about having a fight over unimportant things (like whose turn it was to clean the toilet) can look so appealing. I did like the open unknown of the ending that allowed for a possible positive outcome. And the epilogue that I expected to be boring was anything but - it filled in some answers while still leaving some things open to my own interpretation.

I don't expect to grab another Atwood book immediately - I'll need a lot of positive reading to bring back the sunshine - but I'm not sorry I read this. ...more

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Apr 16, 2012 Mmars rated it it was amazing

If a time capsule (not to be opened for 500 years) of books written in the latter-half of the 20th century were to be made, this would be my contribution. Then, I'd be a spirit who could observe the reactions and read the 2400 A.D. analysis of it - a female spirit with memory of the latter-1900s. Ooooh something to look forward to! ...more

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Dec 19, 2010 Tamela Rich rated it it was amazing

This book continues to have a profound effect on my world view. Brilliant.

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Mar 02, 2010 GracieKat rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: physical-book-dystopia

Even though most of us reading this would read it and say, "No, this couldn't happen. There's no way." What's scary about the book is that it's entirely plausible. Scarily so, in fact. With the way society is degrading and with about 90% of our country's funds being electronic it wouldn't be hard either.
As far as the novel itself goes it was an excellent book with a fascinating, uncomfortable story and the add-on at the end makes it seem all the more real. ...more

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Jun 06, 2017 Ashley rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, post-apocalyptic-dystopian

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.

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