Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Fiction
1985
Finished on May 19, 2002
Rating: 4.5/5 (Very Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
The Handmaid's Tale is an instant classic and eerily prescient cultural phenomenon, from "the patron saint of feminist dystopian fiction" (New York Times).
The Handmaid’s Tale is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to, and going beyond, the repressive intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men in its population. The story is told through the eyes of Offred, one of the unfortunate Handmaids under the new social order. In condensed but eloquent prose, by turns cool-eyed, tender, despairing, passionate, and wry, she reveals to us the dark corners behind the establishment’s calm facade, as certain tendencies now in existence are carried to their logical conclusions. The Handmaid’s Tale is funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing. It is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and a tour de force. It is Margaret Atwood at her best.
IN THE WORLD OF THE NEAR FUTURE, WHO WILL CONTROL WOMEN'S BODIES?
Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable.
Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now... everything has changed.
My Original Thoughts (2002):
Terrific! Couldn't put it down. Much better than The Blind Assassin. I will be more apt to read more by Atwood now that I've read this engaging and imaginative novel. It's quite disturbing, at times. Highly recommend.
My Current Thoughts:
It's funny to read my past thoughts on this book since I've always thought I didn't like it. Huh. I'm really tempted to read it again now that I'm watching the Hulu TV series, starring Elizabeth Moss (which is outstanding!).
The Handmaid's Tale has been on my list of possible rereads for several years. I first read it in 1986 and remember not liking it all that much. Wonder what I'd think of it now...
ReplyDeleteJoAnn, I no longer own a copy, so I may go the audiobook route when it's time to read it again.
DeleteIt's a pretty chilling read ... but it's well done in a dark way. I last read it in 2017. Looks like you admired it in 2002!
ReplyDeleteSusan, the show is also very chilling. I'm very much interested in a re-read someday.
DeleteIt's such a distrubing (but so good) book. I only watched a couple episodes of the series and didn't get into it. I did, however, re-read the book in the past year or so and liked it again the second time through.
ReplyDeleteHelen, it took me a few episodes to get hooked, but I'm enjoying the show. ("Enjoy" seems like the wrong word for watching such a disturbing program, but it's addictive and I think the acting is quite good.) Glad your second reading of the book was worthwhile. I'll add it to my winter stacks.
DeleteNever read this but watched season one of the show. Good but so disturbing.
ReplyDeleteI haven't read much Atwood--Blind Assassin did nothing for me.
Jane, the show is quite disturbing, isn't it? I agree with you about The Blind Assassin. I'm not really a fan of Atwood, but I might give this book a second reading.
DeleteI just started watching the series this weekend. I remember reading the book long ago, but I didn't write a review back then.
ReplyDeleteDeb, I'll be interested to hear if you enjoy the tv series. It's pretty disturbing at times. I haven't watched for the past two weeks while traveling in the RV, but I am looking forward to getting back to it next week.
DeleteI really liked The Handmaid's Tale. I've tried watching the series, but only made it through the first episode. Maybe because I tried to watch it this year and I'm not in the right headspace given, well, everything. It's kind of funny because I can read stuff like this right now, but watching it, not so much.
ReplyDeleteWendy, it's a pretty distressing show, especially given our current government's attitude toward women, people of color, etc.
DeleteI read the graphic novel adaption and much of the first season. So disturbing that many cannot see the correlations with what is happening right now.
ReplyDeleteStacy, I'll bet this would make a great graphic novel. Yes, the parallels between our current government and The Handmaid's Tale Gilead is really disturbing. :(
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