Reviews tagging 'Abortion'

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

145 reviews

ieotter13's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

this book has been on my TBR list for a while and it was definitely something I’m glad I read - all criticism of the book (diversity, etc) is extremely valid, but Atwood is still able to write a compelling story that in some ways seems not too far off from our current political system. i listened to this book via audiobook and given the “historical notes” at the end it actually felt more accurate to the story to read it that way. regardless, worth the read! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Trafficking, Toxic relationship, Torture, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexism, Infidelity, Death, Classism, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Miscarriage, Infertility, Genocide, Abortion, Suicide attempt, Racism, Religious bigotry, Rape, Pregnancy, Suicide, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, and Antisemitism

verysillygoose's review against another edition

dark reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Misogyny, and War

Moderate: Abortion, Miscarriage, Medical content, and Death

sav_22's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Oddly, I did not feel as strongly for this as I did the show adaptation. I feel like it wasn’t as easy to connect to the story as much. Pacing was quick and it left you feeling hollow and sad; this was likely the point, but it didn’t really have any development other than world-building. this has a nihilistic perspective, which can be more impactful for the message depending on how you go into it.

the show covers this entirely in just season 1, except a few passages here and there. The show explores this concept far more deeply and gives Offred more depth and personhood. Her real name is never mentioned in the book, as the show takes many creative liberties to explore the concept more.

 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Classism, Domestic abuse, Police brutality, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Emotional abuse, Grief, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Sexism, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Blood, Body shaming, Sexual violence, and Slavery

Moderate: Abortion, Miscarriage, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Infertility, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Body shaming, Child abuse, Self harm, Abandonment, and Ableism

seapotatohowisitalrtaken's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Violence, and Sexism

Moderate: Sexual content, Death, Infertility, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Abortion, Bullying, Classism, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical content, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Miscarriage, Rape, Vomit, and War

purplerose30's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Pregnancy, Sexism, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Infertility, and Grief

Moderate: Abortion, Miscarriage, and Religious bigotry

Minor: Rape

kaladinstormstressed's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content and Pregnancy

Moderate: Suicide, Infidelity, Violence, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Abortion, Ableism, Infertility, War, and Miscarriage

lily_kruse's review against another edition

dark reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Child death, Violence, War, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Forced institutionalization, Rape, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Infertility, Miscarriage, and Suicide

megb64's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Miscarriage, Body shaming, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Medical content, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Pregnancy, Confinement, Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Abortion, Forced institutionalization, Rape, and Sexual content

alexander1776's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Just sensational.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Slavery, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Infertility, Classism, Violence, Torture, Medical content, Rape, Misogyny, and Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Antisemitism, Homophobia, and Abortion

Minor: War

moonlitstardust's review against another edition

dark inspiring reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Murder, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Violence, Classism, Death, Infertility, Police brutality, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Homophobia, Child death, Torture, Abortion, Alcohol, and Rape