Esta's Reviews > The Handmaid’s Tale

I was frustrated that one needed to read Cliff Notes to understand what she was saying...LOL

Oh no. I was gonna read this but never mind. 🤪

Barbara wrote: "I was frustrated that one needed to read Cliff Notes to understand what she was saying...LOL"

Haha, I totally get it! It took me a while but I ended up loving it and raging against the patriarchy after reading this, which is the desired effect I like to seek out in my literature sometimes, LOL 😆

MonReads wrote: "Oh no. I was gonna read this but never mind. 🤪"

If you skip reading it, I highly recommend the TV show Mon. I loved the first season (written pretty faithfully to the book) more than the book!

I am glad you got so much from it that it earned 4 🌟 lovely 😻 I personally found it very hard to read and didn’t enjoy it much but I know many who love it

Ah yes, sadly relevant. We have a tradition of watching V for Vendetta on the 5th of November. It too has become more and more relevant. I was saying to my friend the other day that soon these dystopias will just be… topias? 😉

It really is a shame that some of these dystopia stories seem to be becoming a reality.

So articulate, so true.

Not the news 😭 I feel like I’m missing out on something good here lol I haven’t seen the show or read this. So glad you enjoyed it love 💗

Oooooooofff

Hitting me where it hurts 😭

Emma.catherine wrote: "I am glad you got so much from it that it earned 4 🌟 lovely 😻 I personally found it very hard to read and didn’t enjoy it much but I know many who love it"

Thank you, my beautiful love! Isn’t it fascinating how books hit each of us so differently? I do love a good dystopia to spook me—it’s eerie how close to home they can feel, and this one especially hit that nerve when I read it. 💗💘😘

Sarah wrote: "Ah yes, sadly relevant. We have a tradition of watching V for Vendetta on the 5th of November. It too has become more and more relevant. I was saying to my friend the other day that soon these dyst..."

V for Vendetta on the 5th? Lol, a history lesson at this point. 😆 Topias, 100% yes lmao! Love it, Sarah! Laugh-cry to it all 🥲

alternative title: the usa’s tale

Thibault wrote: "It really is a shame that some of these dystopia stories seem to be becoming a reality."

It's really disheartening isn't it, Thibault. I miss the days when dystopias were a warning, rather than a non fiction spoiler alert. 🥺🙃

Sadly true... 🖤

Niharika wrote: "So articulate, so true."

Right back at you Niharika!

Nina wrote: "Not the news 😭 I feel like I’m missing out on something good here lol I haven’t seen the show or read this. So glad you enjoyed it love 💗"

It's pretty wild and prescient in so many ways Nina. Right now it feels extra timely, with everything that's going on. But I said that about this book a few years ago too with the Roe vs Wade overturn, lol. I hope you love it if you try it lovely! 💗

🫠😔 happy to see those 4✨ though, light of my day 💗✨

I've never read this nor watched the series! I just might change that this coming new year. Your short review intrigued me!!!

I’ve read some of Atwood’s other books but never this one, nor the series. I might just have to give it a try!

Jackie wrote: "Oooooooofff"

Jackie wrote: "Hitting me where it hurts 😭"

I'm hurting with you Jackie! ❤️‍🩹 I'm so sorry. I feel like Atwood is a prophet.

len ❀ wrote: "alternative title: the usa’s tale"

💯🥺❤️‍🩹

inciminci wrote: "Sadly true... 🖤"

Very sad Inci :( Margaret Atwood is a prophetic treasure. 🤍

Maeghan 🦋 HIATUS on & off wrote: "🫠😔 happy to see those 4✨ though, light of my day 💗✨"

Thank you so much, my sunshine bestie 💖 I read it years ago, but every re-read feels more relevant than ever. 🙃🥲

TRUTH

Tina wrote: "I've never read this nor watched the series! I just might change that this coming new year. Your short review intrigued me!!!"

I hope it's an impactful dystopian read for you Tina! I'll keep an eye out for your thoughts when you get to it. Thanks so much 🥰

Christy wrote: "I’ve read some of Atwood’s other books but never this one, nor the series. I might just have to give it a try!"

Ooh if you like dystopian fiction, Atwood is one of my favourites! Handmaid's Tale in particular is quite timely. The TV series is incredible too, just as good or even better than the book, in my opinion! Hope you are spooked by it (in a good way) too Christy! Thanks so much 🥰

Mai wrote: "TRUTH"

❤️‍🩹🥲🥺

"The News" indeed Esta and it's horrible. Well said :))

under his eye.

Mark wrote: ""The News" indeed Esta and it's horrible. Well said :))"

Many thanks, Mark! 🥲 Atwood is a treasure, and I know you appreciate her stuff too 🙌

Kristi wrote: "under his eye."

May the Lord open… 🥲🤢🙃

A sad but entirely true review! What a sad world we are living in now. I'm wondering how many more states will be banning this precious title after its demand increase post re-election 😫 Sending you a lot of love babe!

So sad. And yet so true! I’m still trying to process that I am now living in a dystopian world! Good thing I have a LOT about it’s coming! Going to get my bow ready! Stay safe!

Sara wrote: "A sad but entirely true review! What a sad world we are living in now. I'm wondering how many more states will be banning this precious title after its demand increase post re-election 😫 Sending yo..."

Ugh, right? But honestly, if they think a ban will stop people from reading, they're in for a surprise—nothing boosts a book’s appeal like a "banned" stamp. Sending love right back to you, babe! Miss you. LY 💗🥺

Stephanie wrote: "So sad. And yet so true! I’m still trying to process that I am now living in a dystopian world! Good thing I have a LOT about it’s coming! Going to get my bow ready! Stay safe!"

I know right? Wild that this can now double as a “How-To” manual. Right back at you Stephanie! 🖤

I sometimes feel like, unfortunately, there's an entire political party (or more accurately big business billionaires using idiotic politicians) referring to dystopian novels as a "How to" guide--but not for survival--as a guide for instituting repression and slowly eroding civil liberties. Most people just don't realize that step 1 took place decades ago when the US got rid of all of our regulations on news and media, making it possible for so-called news organizations to manipulate viewers 1984 style. FOX isn't even allowed to be called news in Canada because they still have these regulations. Step 1 is always "Make the populace ignorant." That goes hand in hand with undercutting public education, the cornerstone of the middle class. There have been quite a few alarm bells going off for a while now.

Yes, I agree, absolutely.

You might read Atwood's Oryx and Crake series because what is about to happen to our planet when the great orange virus eliminates all environmental protections...again...is even worse news. We only get one planet after all. So I'm torn over which aspect of this horror show to worry about most, honestly.

Em wrote: "I sometimes feel like, unfortunately, there's an entire political party (or more accurately big business billionaires using idiotic politicians) referring to dystopian novels as a "How to" guide--b..."

Thanks so much for your comment Em! And yes, the war on public education, book banning and the spread of disinformation make it all too easy to usher in exactly the kind of dystopia we’d rather keep on the fiction shelf.

And speaking of Atwood, Oryx & Crake is my favourite! Wild how many of her “what ifs” have already checked themselves off in our reality bingo. I still need to read books 2 and 3, and I’m both excited and mildly terrified to see where she takes it. Atwood really is a genius. Now, if only I could figure out which of her worlds to be most worried about becoming our own…

so sad, but so true. happy to see those five stars angel!

kendyl ʚ♡⃛ɞ (review slump) wrote: "so sad, but so true. happy to see those five stars angel!"

Thank you so much, my beautiful Kendyl angel. It's such a strange, unsettling time we’re in, but having people like you who spread kindness in the world makes it a little brighter. Love you so much! 💐🖤

A succinct but deafening review, Esta

Lisa wrote: "A succinct but deafening review, Esta"

Thanks so much, Lisa and I'm so pleased to see your appreciation of this timeless/timely Atwood classic too 🙌 🥺

Short and concise

Zana wrote: "Short and concise "

Blessed be the fruit.

Full marks for precision 😉🤩​​​😂 Can't believe it's almost 10 years since I read this 😬​

I was made to read this in high school. I squirmed through all fecund symbolism and was horrified when watching the movie.... it was so uncomfortable hearing my teacher read out loud parts of the book in high school. But you hit the nail on the head Esta... it's relevant more now than ever with the reversal of roe vs. wade and the loss to the right to abortion....a far cry from a country that it was...

Ugh! You are so right. (Unfortunately).

Zaynab wrote: "Full marks for precision 😉🤩​​​😂 Can't believe it's almost 10 years since I read this 😬​"

Same here Zaynab! I feel like if I re-read it now, it would hit harder than ever 🥺🥲 Thanks ml ❤️

Jsiva wrote: "I was made to read this in high school. I squirmed through all fecund symbolism and was horrified when watching the movie.... it was so uncomfortable hearing my teacher read out loud parts of the b..."

I can only imagine how squirmy and uncomfortable and read and watch it would've been in school Jsiva! It’s pretty wild and disheartening that a story written decades ago still feels so relevant today. I guess the silver lining is that it continues to spark those tough but important conversations. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.