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Miranda Reads's Reviews > The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1)
by
(Hence the name "Of Fred" and the not-so-subtle foreshadowing "offered".)
Her alternative? Working in the radioactive wastelands (which would undoubtedly lead to her death within 2-3 years).
So, she stays on as a "handmaid" in the hopes of producing a child by Fred to be raised by him and his wife.
Once she fulfills her duties, she'd be passed on to the next man and his wife.
As a result, we are forced to read as she is systematically raped by Fred on her fertile nights.
Even she accepted it as a part of life - we see a bit of the conditioning and training (brain washing) done on new Handmaids.
It's a wonder they all weren't more screwed up.
According to the introduction, Margaret Atwood did not create any of the rules, regulations and punishments forced upon these women.
What she did was take all of the real terrors that women have suffered throughout the ages and force them to happen all at once.
Thus creating a single eye-opening dystopian novel.
This was a difficult novel to read and while I am glad to have read it once, I plan to never (never) look at it again.
by
"We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories."Set in the not-so-distant future, Offred is designated as a Handmaid. Meaning her fertile womb "allows" her to stay in the house of Fred as his legal consort.
(Hence the name "Of Fred" and the not-so-subtle foreshadowing "offered".)
Her alternative? Working in the radioactive wastelands (which would undoubtedly lead to her death within 2-3 years).
So, she stays on as a "handmaid" in the hopes of producing a child by Fred to be raised by him and his wife.
Once she fulfills her duties, she'd be passed on to the next man and his wife.
As a result, we are forced to read as she is systematically raped by Fred on her fertile nights.
Even she accepted it as a part of life - we see a bit of the conditioning and training (brain washing) done on new Handmaids.
It's a wonder they all weren't more screwed up.
According to the introduction, Margaret Atwood did not create any of the rules, regulations and punishments forced upon these women.
What she did was take all of the real terrors that women have suffered throughout the ages and force them to happen all at once.
Thus creating a single eye-opening dystopian novel.
This was a difficult novel to read and while I am glad to have read it once, I plan to never (never) look at it again.
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"Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.
Don't let the bastards grind you down."
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
November 24, 2017
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Finished Reading
November 28, 2017
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Josh
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rated it 4 stars
Jan 20, 2018 07:53AM
It was short, but right to the point. EXACTLY what I would have in mind when I think about this book. I read this back in June for, appropriately enough, a discussion on Literary Gladiators that included my former American Literature instructor and also a traditional book club discussion for a book club that I had just joined. It is certainly a book that is subject to discussion.
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Fantastic review, Miranda! I just read this myself, and agree with you in that I'm glad I read it, but I'm also glad it's over. Oh, and great opening quote you chose to include :)
Josh wrote: "It was short, but right to the point. EXACTLY what I would have in mind when I think about this book."Glad that we were twinning on this book. This is definitely something that everyone should read once
Tara wrote: "Fantastic review, Miranda! I just read this myself, and agree with you in that I'm glad I read it, but I'm also glad it's over. Oh, and great opening quote you chose to include :)"Thank you so much :) this is def a one-and-done sort of book
I read this book, out loud, every year to my year 13 classes. For me, it gets better and better as I get to witness their reaction to it and they always shock me with their mature responses and the way they connect to it. Love this one.
Erin-Elizabeth wrote: "I read this book, out loud, every year to my year 13 classes..."Wow - very cool! What other books do you read to them/have them read?
Miranda wrote: "Erin-Elizabeth wrote: "I read this book, out loud, every year to my year 13 classes..."Wow - very cool! What other books do you read to them/have them read?"
The other one I always read them is the play 'Death and the Maiden' by Ariel Dorfman. Another hard hitter, a really quick read and definitely worth it if you haven't already. From there it kinda depends what kids I've got in the class and what I think they'll enjoy. Some Carol Ann Duffy poetry nearly always features!
Erin-Elizabeth wrote: "the other one I always read..."Sounds interesting! I will have to add it to the list! Thank you 😊
Amanda wrote: "Great review!"Gracias!
Don't be so sure--I read it the first time at your age, and I've now read it two more times! In goddess we trust.
Julie wrote: "Don't be so sure--I read it the first time at your age, and I've now read it two more times! In goddess we trust."I'll keep that in mind :) that's probably a good idea!
I thought I wouldn't read it a second time either, because I was so depressed the first read-through. But I did and liked it better the second time. It's still as bleak as it gets, but it so well-written it was worthy of a second go-around.
Joshua wrote: "I thought I wouldn't read it a second time either, because I was so depressed the first read-through. But I did and liked it better the second time. It's still as bleak as it gets, but it so well-w..."Alright, alright! You convinced me! Though, I think I will give it a few years before retiring again
Great review, Miranda. It seems you changed your mind. So I can't be sure about myself but when I finished this book this was what I felt. I agree with you "I am glad to have read it once, I plan to never (never) look at it again. Even as a reader to be in this world was a torture because it makes you feel as if its real.
Nisa wrote: "Great review, Miranda. It seems you changed your mind. So I can't be sure about myself but when I finished this book this was what I felt. I agree with you "I am glad to have read it once, I plan t..."Yes yes yes. Exactly what you said!
A superb revew for this difficult read, Miranda!
I'm so glad I found your reviews today. This was great. "Eye-opening" is the perfect way to describe anything involving this book. And difficult. I found myself filled with some sickly amount of tension when I first read it and was uncomfortable, but still so engrossed in it. I'm babbling, sorry!
Paula wrote: "A superb revew for this difficult read, Miranda!"Thank you. Definitely agree - this was so difficult to read
Jessica | Booked J wrote: "I'm so glad I found your reviews today. This was great. "Eye-opening" is the perfect way to describe anything involving this book. And difficult. I found myself filled with some sickly amount of te..."A sickly amount of tension - such a good way to put it. I was wholly horrified and yet could not tear myself away.
Such a good book
ferret247 wrote: "it's a good book,but it's short."Well, apparently there is a sequel... so potentially the story gets longer
Fantastic review, Miranda 💖 this is my favorite dystopian novel
I appreciate your honest review. A lot of readers would immediately given it 5 stars because Margaret Atwood is so popular. I haven't read it yet but am dying to know exactly why it was so difficult to read. Was it the way women were treated?
Felicia wrote: "Fantastic review, Miranda 💖 this is my favorite dystopian novel"Thank you! And that is so cool!!
Allison wrote: "I appreciate your honest review. A lot of readers would immediately given it 5 stars because Margaret Atwood is so popular. I haven't read it yet but am dying to know exactly why it was so difficul..."It was the simple things - the way women were so casually thrown around... and knowing that Atwood only drew from real life inspiration for her dystopian novel
Miri ♪ Book Dragoness ♪ wrote: "My goodness, this must be a terrifying novel. I know I should give this a try but I'm a bit scared, tbh."I think it is one of those semi-unpleasant books that make you feel uncomfortable... but are absolutely necessary to read.
Thanks. I'll have to read, see how it goes.
I don't know about book but I watch first episode of Handmaid's tale and it was really painful.
Mugdha wrote: "I don't know about book but I watch first episode of Handmaid's tale and it was really painful."I haven't seen the series yet and i don't think i want to. Reading the book was enough
Thank you for this really great review. I have wanted to read it and cannot wait to dive into it.
Taryl wrote: "Thank you for this really great review. I have wanted to read it and cannot wait to dive into it."Good luck!!
I do agree with the point that Margaret Atwood put all the real world struggles of a women in one story. In society women are expected to have children and sometimes having children isn't ideal for some. It can come as a surprise or forced upon to.
Janeth wrote: "I do agree with the point that Margaret Atwood put all the real world struggles of a women in one story. In society women are expected to have children and sometimes having children isn't ideal for..."Her book was definitely eye-opening!
