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Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid's Tale
Non-fiction book about Margaret Atwood. This is not the novel The Handmaid's Tale.
The Handmaid's Tale (1985), by Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, revisits the Anglo-American utopian/dystopian tradition. Appealing to imaginative fiction and the novel of ideas, the construction of perfect—or nightmarish—worlds rouses the reader's socio-political awareness of the present and invites questions on the shape of the near furure. The Handmaid's Tale deconstructs the utopian narrative by breaking the chronological order of the female protagonist's experience into a time-shifting testimony, a quest for meaning and an exploration of self versus the other. The intricate play on word and symbol can be read against the historical background of seventeenth-century New England Puritanism, as well as the twentieth-century New Right and women's rights movements, while inviting reference to the postmodernist outlook. This volume includes a bibliography, a study of the book's context, as well as essays and commentaries; the approach has been adapted to the needs of Capes and Agregation students.
The Handmaid's Tale (1985), by Canadian writer Margaret Atwood, revisits the Anglo-American utopian/dystopian tradition. Appealing to imaginative fiction and the novel of ideas, the construction of perfect—or nightmarish—worlds rouses the reader's socio-political awareness of the present and invites questions on the shape of the near furure. The Handmaid's Tale deconstructs the utopian narrative by breaking the chronological order of the female protagonist's experience into a time-shifting testimony, a quest for meaning and an exploration of self versus the other. The intricate play on word and symbol can be read against the historical background of seventeenth-century New England Puritanism, as well as the twentieth-century New Right and women's rights movements, while inviting reference to the postmodernist outlook. This volume includes a bibliography, a study of the book's context, as well as essays and commentaries; the approach has been adapted to the needs of Capes and Agregation students.
108 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
November 4, 2019
Wowsers fab brill but there should be more.
May 13, 2015
I downloaded this book because I saw the title on a list of "must read" books. Having read it, I fail to see any brilliance. Sure, Atwood can write. I just wish she had written about something else. (Honestly I could have lived my life happily ignorant of the disgusting Ceremony. Really? Seems to me the two women would take the man out rather than go through with that!)
I read the book wondering whether Americans and American women especially would so easily relinquish their rights. Could our society could ever become something this perverse? I suppose if radical Islam gains control of the world, then maybe it'll be as crazy as the dystopian America described in this book (worse actually IMO). Still, I found the whole scenario a little hard to swallow and, at times, ridiculous. However, if nothing else the book has reinforced my support of the Second Amendment and my continued resistance against big government.
I couldn't seem to drum up much sympathy for Offred. She came across more of a victim and less of a hero. And, I found the ending lame. There is no satisfactory conclusion to this story. I'm guessing Atwood couldn't think of one.
I read the book wondering whether Americans and American women especially would so easily relinquish their rights. Could our society could ever become something this perverse? I suppose if radical Islam gains control of the world, then maybe it'll be as crazy as the dystopian America described in this book (worse actually IMO). Still, I found the whole scenario a little hard to swallow and, at times, ridiculous. However, if nothing else the book has reinforced my support of the Second Amendment and my continued resistance against big government.
I couldn't seem to drum up much sympathy for Offred. She came across more of a victim and less of a hero. And, I found the ending lame. There is no satisfactory conclusion to this story. I'm guessing Atwood couldn't think of one.
July 13, 2016
Wow. I usually do not like dystopia fiction, but the world presented in this book has fascinating links to our society. This book's intention can be interpreted in many different ways, whether it be to shed light on the oppression of women, promoting feminism, or shedding light on the oppression of lower classes. It's focus on the female race is extremely modest and 'realistic', in which I'm sure people will find it hard to label this book as misandry. It is truly a game changing piece for me.
March 31, 2008
I used to love distopian novels, but I read too many that were quite the same. This novel, however, surpassed and took a different look at a distopian world, and I enjoyed it. If it weren't so long, I'd love to teach it.
July 21, 2012
One of the best distopias you'll ever read.
August 9, 2018
You lose Margaret, the law isn't came out. 38 vs 31!!Yes to life!!!💙💙💙
June 23, 2015
This is a brilliantly written modern classic, and pairs beautifully with Orwell's 1984. There are many parallels between the way the dystopia is formed, the main character's rebellious thoughts and actions, and the narrative structure. However, it is also a fully independent and creative work, an English teacher's dream in its richness. I especially enjoyed:
1) Offred saying over and over again, "I don't want to tell this story" or "I wish this was a different kind of story." It subtly (and sometimes directly) addresses the reader as her only outlet, her only hope.
2) Sometimes she would say, "I added that part; it didn't happen that way," to show that she was trying to paint a prettier picture or present hope for a different kind of story.
3) Spoiler Alert - The Ending:
1) Offred saying over and over again, "I don't want to tell this story" or "I wish this was a different kind of story." It subtly (and sometimes directly) addresses the reader as her only outlet, her only hope.
2) Sometimes she would say, "I added that part; it didn't happen that way," to show that she was trying to paint a prettier picture or present hope for a different kind of story.
3) Spoiler Alert - The Ending:
August 17, 2018
One of the most terrifying cautionary tales about a dystopian future I've ever read, mainly because it was already all too familiar in parts. Very well done- the emotions were poignant and real, the main character's emotional story (and breaking) was well told, and the unfolding of the shape of this society was revealed in pieces, gradually, by showing and not telling, and the more you read the more you understand and the more you understand the more you want to immediately build some kind of bunker somewhere and give up on mankind in general.
February 27, 2024
ARE U SERIOUSLY FUCKING KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW
November 12, 2014
I'm starting to really love this author. This story is fascinating to say the the least. How the human mind copes with extreme and horrific circumstances!! Excellent read!!
November 2, 2016
One of my favorite books. Just read it.
July 8, 2020
It's a very well written book for sure - masterpiece of technique. But beyond that I failed to see novelty or even imagination;
The so-called dystopian future of America is really just a repackaged 17-18th century America - combined with elements of Communism and more recent Islamic Radicalism that has swept several nations.
This book just brings the worst of all of these together and paints it as a future for America and I don't know if that alone is what has made this book such a cult classic but I was really disappointed by sheer lack of originality.
To give some examples as case in point:
1) wealthy few government/military heads commanding best of everything including women, controlling most of the wealth, resources and the rest of the poor population; 2) women have no rights and are only seen to be good for marriage, bearing children and housekeeping; it's is the Man's rights to command his wife to do his bidding sexually or otherwise
3) underground "brothels" where no respectable man or woman would ever acknowledge going; and those women have no rights whatsoever but take pride in their freedom to wear what they choose and drink and socialise with men; and other "respectable" women look at them with a mix of scorn and jealousy
4) totally authoritarian regime that bans private religion
5) even the clothes women wear - white for virgins, long flowing skirts for women that cover their wrists and ankles with white "bonnet" type caps
All of it is a straight lift from already existing practices - in fundamentalist /communist nations and in the American history itself.
Very disappointed.
The so-called dystopian future of America is really just a repackaged 17-18th century America - combined with elements of Communism and more recent Islamic Radicalism that has swept several nations.
This book just brings the worst of all of these together and paints it as a future for America and I don't know if that alone is what has made this book such a cult classic but I was really disappointed by sheer lack of originality.
To give some examples as case in point:
1) wealthy few government/military heads commanding best of everything including women, controlling most of the wealth, resources and the rest of the poor population; 2) women have no rights and are only seen to be good for marriage, bearing children and housekeeping; it's is the Man's rights to command his wife to do his bidding sexually or otherwise
3) underground "brothels" where no respectable man or woman would ever acknowledge going; and those women have no rights whatsoever but take pride in their freedom to wear what they choose and drink and socialise with men; and other "respectable" women look at them with a mix of scorn and jealousy
4) totally authoritarian regime that bans private religion
5) even the clothes women wear - white for virgins, long flowing skirts for women that cover their wrists and ankles with white "bonnet" type caps
All of it is a straight lift from already existing practices - in fundamentalist /communist nations and in the American history itself.
Very disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2019
With a vague threat that is never properly addressed and a survivor’s account that fails to showcase any motive or lack thereof, the handmaiden’s tale fails to hold the reader engaged.
The story is an oppressed individual’s account of survivorship, we are never clearly told as to what exactly the oppression is and to what means is the survivorship edging towards. With all actions taken by any individual in the book being inconsequential, the whole book turns out to be, for the lack of a more appropriate way to put this, one heck of a diary entry of a teen who objectively documents every frame of her life.
The writing deserves some credit, with the peppered linguistic tools adding some beauty to the story, but that is as far as it goes. There were certain points, especially during the salvaging, where the writer demonstrates his prowess by depicting the emotions of rage and violence and contrasts them well with the thought process of a trained mind. Another noteworthy aspect is the depiction and evolution of the mother-daughter relationship, which, being the one thing that progresses in the book, has been properly laid out and explained in detail. Everything else, especially the parts about intimacy are painstaking to read and donot have any virtue by themselves
All in all the handmaiden’s tale is a slightly below average but definitely an infuriating read, which leaves the readers asking for more, not because they were mesmerized by it, but because it fails to provide the bare minimum required to satiate one’s reasoning perspective.
The story is an oppressed individual’s account of survivorship, we are never clearly told as to what exactly the oppression is and to what means is the survivorship edging towards. With all actions taken by any individual in the book being inconsequential, the whole book turns out to be, for the lack of a more appropriate way to put this, one heck of a diary entry of a teen who objectively documents every frame of her life.
The writing deserves some credit, with the peppered linguistic tools adding some beauty to the story, but that is as far as it goes. There were certain points, especially during the salvaging, where the writer demonstrates his prowess by depicting the emotions of rage and violence and contrasts them well with the thought process of a trained mind. Another noteworthy aspect is the depiction and evolution of the mother-daughter relationship, which, being the one thing that progresses in the book, has been properly laid out and explained in detail. Everything else, especially the parts about intimacy are painstaking to read and donot have any virtue by themselves
All in all the handmaiden’s tale is a slightly below average but definitely an infuriating read, which leaves the readers asking for more, not because they were mesmerized by it, but because it fails to provide the bare minimum required to satiate one’s reasoning perspective.
October 7, 2021
Travel out of Your Comfort Zone
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (dystopian fiction novel: 1985) is definitely one of the scariest, but most captivating books I have ever picked up. Once you are introduced to Offred (a handmaid in the community who’s sole purpose is to reproduce), you surely will want to know how she will progress mentally and if she will survive all her hardships. Atwood sucked me in with her vivid descriptions and use of figurative language to throughly paint the picture of a dystopian society. There are lots of different dimensions to this story and it is very thought provoking. I often tried to put myself in the character’s shoes, which was very easy to do with the immense detail provided. I even felt a personal connection to the main character as she went through a mental journey, holding on to her past life. The topics in this novel, such as feminism, are still relevant today and are important to discuss. I really would recommend this book to readers who are trying to get away from simple skimming or pleasure reading, and who wish to expand their mental horizons and travel to a new world.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (dystopian fiction novel: 1985) is definitely one of the scariest, but most captivating books I have ever picked up. Once you are introduced to Offred (a handmaid in the community who’s sole purpose is to reproduce), you surely will want to know how she will progress mentally and if she will survive all her hardships. Atwood sucked me in with her vivid descriptions and use of figurative language to throughly paint the picture of a dystopian society. There are lots of different dimensions to this story and it is very thought provoking. I often tried to put myself in the character’s shoes, which was very easy to do with the immense detail provided. I even felt a personal connection to the main character as she went through a mental journey, holding on to her past life. The topics in this novel, such as feminism, are still relevant today and are important to discuss. I really would recommend this book to readers who are trying to get away from simple skimming or pleasure reading, and who wish to expand their mental horizons and travel to a new world.
July 6, 2018
It was interesting that the world would change so much. Back to the dark ages when women were nothing more than birthing machines. The story told by Offred, not her real name, is one of several women whom are fertile and therefore raped by the Commander while his wife holds her down. Although, there is no struggle and she goes to him "willingly" - she is being forced to do so or face the consequences of being sent to a brothel - yes they still exist or some are hanged for resisting. In the book, she does not see her husband or child again and we don't know what happens to her.
I have not watched the TV series which from what I've heard is a little different.
I have not watched the TV series which from what I've heard is a little different.
January 29, 2020
I really pushed to get through this book. I guess I am a linear thinker. It's not that I couldn't follow the jump from present day to past, but the excerpts of the past jumped all over the place as well.
I felt this book was an infuriating read. It would leave me hanging to jump to the past right at the time that I got invested in the story line. Honestly, this didn't feel like a story, but more like entries in a journal. I'm proud that I finished it, even though i skipped whole sections that just didn't hold my attention.
I felt this book was an infuriating read. It would leave me hanging to jump to the past right at the time that I got invested in the story line. Honestly, this didn't feel like a story, but more like entries in a journal. I'm proud that I finished it, even though i skipped whole sections that just didn't hold my attention.
April 22, 2020
As an independent, somewhat educated female, I was naturally horrified by the premise of this book, to me it's the equivalent of a Stephen King novel. That being said, I loved how this book was written, it was as 'scattered' as thinking tends to be coupled with the lecture at the end, as if we had been reading some transcript from history. I was captivated and horrified at the same time, like a bad accident that you can't look away from. I can't even imagine the type of imagination creating this kind of world would take, but kudos! I enjoyed it!
November 19, 2019
I thought the concept of this book was super Interesting and I’m a huge lover of dystopian futures and speculative fiction. I’ve liked Margaret’s other books so I figured I’d love this one.
I was interested at first but as you continue reading nothing really happens. You’re like a fly on the wall watching this girls daily activities and it’s pretty bland. The concept is very interesting but I couldn’t finish the book. Totally lost interest.
I was interested at first but as you continue reading nothing really happens. You’re like a fly on the wall watching this girls daily activities and it’s pretty bland. The concept is very interesting but I couldn’t finish the book. Totally lost interest.
November 11, 2020
I came to actually read this book in 2020 - later than most, so I kinda think it has been a victim of its own success, since I already vaguely knew about the dystopian theocratic culture it presents. And since the book is almost entirely the slow reveal of that dystopian culture, I was underwhelmed. But given that a decent percentage of Americans appear to see this imaginary future as utopian, it’s probably an important book to have read and thought about.
January 19, 2021
The whole dystopian historical fiction would have you is not something I would typically be into. Now this was a political fairytale I probably would have been more into it. However for me not liking that particular genre oh, this is a pretty good book. It wasn't crazy far-fetched nonsense. If you told me that this was a historical nonfiction about a country other than my own, I could totally believe it. I think it is definitely worth the read even if you don't care for this particular genre
May 17, 2022
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a haunting tale of the loss of women’s freedoms and options in a world arbitrarily controlled by an elite group of male leadership. Perhaps even more relevant today than when it was published in 1985, it demands the reader take a close look at what we value as individuals, and how easily we can lose what is important to us when another deems us of little consequence.
May 1, 2020
Struggled to get into it and had slight difficulties to appreciate it for at least half of it's length, probably more related to my own situation and inability to concentrate and get consistency in my reading. But it grew and the second half of the book was really enjoyable. It therefore touched closely to four starts which it likely would have gotten if I read it again.
September 11, 2023
I couldn't get into it at all. I generally force myself to read a book to the end, I can count the books I haven't finished on one hand. I think I gave up on chapter 3. Maybe it was just me being distracted. I'll try again in a year or 2.
I hadn't read Margaret Atwood books so it may just be the writing style isn't for me.
I hadn't read Margaret Atwood books so it may just be the writing style isn't for me.
July 8, 2017
Ik heb dit boek na - ik denk - 25 jaar herlezen. Dit omdat overal werd geschreven, dat na alle toestanden met Trump het onderwerp van dit boek weer erg actueel is. Dat laatste vind ik wat overdreven, maar het blijft een bijzonder goed boek. Ik neem aan, dat iedereen wel weet waar het over gaat.
May 10, 2018
It was a decent enough book I guess. Not sure if I like the way it was written with just a bunch of random thoughts running through her head. It was a good read it got me running towards the end, just not one of my favorites
July 29, 2018
I really wanted to like this book. Maybe if I had finished it, I would have. But half way through I decided if I wasn't committed at this point, I likely wasn't ever going to be. I kept waiting for the story to begin...
Want to read
October 22, 2019somehow it felt much scarier and real/ possible now then when I firts read it as a teen ten years ago. Nothing else changed though. The sensuality of Atwood's language and the thrill of it remains the same.
October 23, 2019
Comencé a leer este libro por la serie, pero no me decepcionó; el principio es un poco lento, sobretodo cuando la protagonista hace sus cavilaciones, pero después de la mitad comienza más y más interesante con un final que literalmente te deja con la boca abierta de asombro.
January 20, 2020
A nice book. The totalitarian world created here seems scary but the same time is very engrossing. The way the story unfolds one feels sorry, angry and as desperate as Offred. Beautifully written book with the consequences leading to the totalitarian world seems perfect.
November 1, 2021
One of the most haunting books I've read - it left me feeling anger, frustration, and the realization that such an oddity, such outrageous societal behavior could actually.be.possible. Devour the pages and contemplate what we need to do to prevent these horrors from becoming our reality.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews