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

Margaret Atwood

Start date: May 1, 2017

Finish date: May 31, 2017

Discussion: Group Books of the Month (BotM)

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What Members Thought

Aug 07, 2010 Carol rated it really liked it

Shelves: dystopian-fiction, atwood

When I started reading this, it made me think of "Brave New World." The US has been replaced by the Republic of Gilead where men rule the world. Because of sterility, abortions and low birth rates, men have decided to control women like chattel. Young, healthy women like Offred, are Handmaids whose purpose is to conceive and give birth. Her life is extremely restricted, in her name ("Of" is the beginning of all handmaids names, followed by the male's first name). Even in her daily shopping walks When I started reading this, it made me think of "Brave New World." The US has been replaced by the Republic of Gilead where men rule the world. Because of sterility, abortions and low birth rates, men have decided to control women like chattel. Young, healthy women like Offred, are Handmaids whose purpose is to conceive and give birth. Her life is extremely restricted, in her name ("Of" is the beginning of all handmaids names, followed by the male's first name). Even in her daily shopping walks (signs of food pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read.) Even her walks, she is not allowed to look directly at anyone, her cap even directs her attention straight ahead, and blocks some of her views. Offred is only valued for her ovaries and carrying a baby to term. Every month, she must lie on her back and pray that the Commander impregnates her, while his wife, Serena Joy ( a former Gospel singer) literally sits behind Offred, holding her hands above her head, so that Serena Joy can be apart of this conception. (Something so wrong there!-- I also thought the wall with the dead bodies hanging there was so wrong.)

Having flashbacks, Offred focuses her mind on an optimistic viewpoint, thoughts of living with her husband Luke and their baby. Her single mother as a woman activist and her friend, Moira who escapes the Red Center. Her life with the Commander is strange and comfortable. He asks for her to join him in the evening, yet he doesn't want sex, he wants to play "Scrabble," which is forbidden for women, and shows her a Vogue magazine (which is also forbidden.) Ofglan tells Offred that she's a member of "Mayday" an underground organization dedicated to overthrowing Gilead. Offred cannot become pregnant, so Serena Joy suggests that Offred have sex with Nick secretly and pass the child off as the Commander's. In return, Serena Joh promises to bring Offred a picture of her daughter, is she sleeps with Nick. Offred realizes that Serna Joy knew where her daughter was all along. ...more

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Dec 07, 2010 Izzie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adult, reviewed, apocalyptic-and-dystopian, five-star

I have read many dystopian novels, the genre is one of my favorites. Oftentimes, the world created is without threat or consequence; I do not feel nor believe the full oppression of the regime in the novel, or the rules that are in place seem abritrary or ridiculous.

Over and over, when I scour for new dystopia to read, The Handmaid's Tale cropped up every time. It is truly a shame I didn't immediately dig into this book when it was initially purchased for me.

We are first introduced to Offred, I have read many dystopian novels, the genre is one of my favorites. Oftentimes, the world created is without threat or consequence; I do not feel nor believe the full oppression of the regime in the novel, or the rules that are in place seem abritrary or ridiculous.

Over and over, when I scour for new dystopia to read, The Handmaid's Tale cropped up every time. It is truly a shame I didn't immediately dig into this book when it was initially purchased for me.

We are first introduced to Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, a woman who is old enough to remember a better time before. Through the entire story, we are spoken to as if we are there with Offred, hearing her story. This definitely served to bring me with her into this horrible world, and to feel alongside the small triumphs, her panic, and her heartbreak. We slowly learn about Offred's past, the nusances of her position, and the world she now is forced to carve an existence from.

I can only describe the manner of writing as 'flowy'; it creates spectacular imagery that isn't a stretch nor a burden to read:

A Tennyson garden, heavy with scent, languid; the return of the word swoon.Light pours down upon it from the sun, true, but also heat rises, from the flowers themselves, you can feel it: like holding your hand an inch from an arm, a shoulder. It breathes, in the warmth, breathing itself in. To walk through it in these days, of peonies, of pinks and carnations, makes my head swim.

There are zero infodumps, a trait I do unfortunately see in dystopian novels. We are only shown was is needed, and are slowly revealed pieces of Offred's story; her past, her "training", her current situation, her hopes. It weaves itself together into a wonderful ending, with an addendium that enhances the conclusion.

If I had to pin down one thing that I felt was a negative, it would be Offred's lack of personality; It felt as if she was merely a vessel that we stepped into to see the world from her eyes. If this was intentional, it was masterfully done.

Five stars, and an insistence that if you enjoy well-written dystopia or even a fantastic story, place The Handmaid's Tale at the top of your list. ...more

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Feb 10, 2013 Diandra Knutson rated it liked it

Check out reviews like this (and more) on Ambrosia Books !

What does a woman say when she's not allowed to speak, think, or have a past? A hell of a lot it seems. This book I read in January...took me long enough to write a reviee. Jeez...you're slackin', Diandra.

This book has been on my TBR for a long time. I was so fascinated by the thought of these women being some sort of concubine for the so called "Commanders", higher ups in this weird futuristic religious dystopian society. What story coul ...more

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