Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

15 reviews

annoyedhumanoid's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.0

definitely a slow burn but i liked the way it built tension somewhat exponentially with the narrator at the center of three mini rebellions—

seeing the Commander, defecting with Ofglen and Mayday, and conspiring with Serena Joy and Nick

—but in the end it didn't really amount to all that much. i love the inclusion of the "Historical Notes," they're terrible and perfect.
it's definitely white feminism, with racism in this religious-extremist totalitarian regime only mentioned once, in passing, at the very end. compared to another modern classic published just two years later, Beloved, it's kind of embarrassing.
cover design review: ★★★★☆. instant one-star deduction for having author's name larger than the title (sorry Margaret Atwood), and this is especially egregious; the title is relatively tiny. we all know minimalism has become excessive but i really like this one. the centering of the title is very satisfying, with approximately equal overhang of "HANDMAID'S" on either side of the dress. and the best part, get ready for your mind to be blown: see that dot in front of the Handmaid's head? it's the eye of a face in profile looking to the left hidden in the negative space. genius

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Religious bigotry, Sexism, Suicide, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Classism, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Body horror, Trafficking, Violence, Domestic abuse, Death, Rape, Infidelity, Misogyny, Infertility, Murder, Sexual violence, and Torture

Moderate: Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Cursing, Mass/school shootings, Antisemitism, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Animal death, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, Blood, Drug use, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Child death

Minor: Abortion, Medical content, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, Eating disorder, Excrement, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, Racism, War, Islamophobia, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Body shaming, and Vomit

rory_john14's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

2.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Antisemitism, Biphobia, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Medical content, Medical trauma, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Abortion, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Confinement, Infertility, Infidelity, and Misogyny

Moderate: Lesbophobia and Alcohol

Minor: Death of parent, Racism, War, Child death, and Murder

ellahaugdahl's review against another edition

challenging dark sad slow-paced

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

2.0

i had to read the handmaid's tale for school, and it was brutal. i have never read a book about something so cruel. even though this book is pure fiction, i am sure something similar happens today in modern society. the handmaid's tale wakes many feelings, and you understand how uncomfortable and different you become with no control over yourself and your body. 
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an important book everybody should read, even though it is written in a hard way and include many details and world building.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Suicide, Abandonment, Sexual assault, Torture, and Violence

Moderate: Body shaming, Cursing, Death, Murder, Rape, Self harm, and War

Minor: Blood, Body shaming, Death of parent, and Miscarriage

salatwaffel's review against another edition

dark inspiring reflective tense slow-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Violence, Trafficking, Slavery, Sexism, Suicide, Sexual content, Police brutality, Miscarriage, Homophobia, and Lesbophobia

Minor: Death of parent, Hate crime, and Medical trauma

morgan_07's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective 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? It's complicated

4.75

A well written and intriguing novel. As someone who loves dystopian novels and learning about women's issues, this book was right up my alley - especially since Atwood has said that the events of the novel all take precedents in real world events.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

Moderate: Death, Grief, Infidelity, Medical content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Suicide, and Violence

Minor: Alcohol, Death of parent, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Sexual harassment, and Suicide attempt