The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood (1985)
Laura’s Rating: 4/5 Stars
I have always heard about the disturbing and horrible events in this book, but I have to say that I was expecting worse. Don’t get me wrong, there are uncomfortable parts of this novel and the society in Gilead has serious problems. I just found that the book was less graphic than I had anticipated (thankfully) so don’t let that hold you back from reading this much discussed novel.
The Analysis:
The dystopian story centers on Offred, one of the few women in society that is still able to have children, thanks to pollution and radiation rendering much of the population infertile. Before the events of the book, a group of religious fanatics overtook the government, instituting a theonomic dictatorship based on their radical interpretations of the Old Testament. In this new society known as Gilead, women have virtually no rights, and those capable of reproduction are forced to work as “handmaids” and carry children for the ruling class of men and their wives.
Some of the mystery around the government and structure of the society in the book adds to the threatening feeling of unknown and powerful forces. The book is also told from Offred’s point of view, so she would not know all the details of the hierarchy due to her status as a handmaiden. However, I did want a bit more history, background, and details of Gilead and how it came to be. There are brief flashbacks and some explanations of laws and structure, but I wanted more. I am planning on reading The Testaments, the long awaited sequel to the book that came out in 2019, which may hopefully give me more answers.
This book highlights how extreme beliefs and rhetoric can transform a society into an unrecognizable dystopia. Even people integral to the movement that spurred the revolution end up trapped in a society that threatens their well-being. This book is often used in reference to current events and politics and while it can be applicable, I think it’s important to focus on the spirit of the book rather than on how specific details might come to be in society. This book includes thought-provoking concepts about loyalty, resistance, desperation, and mob mentality. The Handmaid’s Tale is important reading for anyone interested not just in politics and philosophical scenarios, but in how society works as a whole and how people can work to change it (for better or worse).
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