Reviews

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

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cmhillner's review against another edition

4.0

I found this more frustrating to read as an adult then as a teenager. I wanted to understand more about how and why society ended up here. Who set up this new society and who benefitted. So many questions I wanted answered but that was not the point of this book and I realize that. I was frustrated by Offred and her inability to act but again realize that most would have been the same. This book has so much to say about so many themes. It seems impossible to think through it all without multiple readings.

unabridged_reader's review against another edition

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5.0

Phenomenal in content, writing, and overall world-building. Though a dystopian, what differentiates The Handmaid's Tale , written in 1985, is that the world described by Atwood is explained so well. Readers are not left confused by the the society Offred lived in because the setting is described so vividly and all details remain consistent throughout the novel.

Also, the character development of Offred was exceptional and realistic. Her narration really read as a very descriptive diary. As a reader you could watch her grow with opinions and see her lose her ignorance.

Spoiler

I loved how Offred is at first just a voice, merely describing the world she lives in without a shred of rebellion in her. Moira was the rebellious character, but the protagonist did not emerge as a hero until later on as she, as well as readers, grow with more knowledge and stronger opinions on the Gildean empire. This I found to be a breath of fresh air considering that many dystopians are narrated in a similar fashion with the protagonist already predictably rebellious with strong opinions that readers are supposed to agree with

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Must say that Atwood's sense of humor and use of irony added to the overall narration of the story as well. No part of The Handmaid's Tale was dull. My only regret was that I picked this up for a school assignment. I felt rushed because I had a deadline but at the same time I question whether I would have finished this had it not been for school because its complexity goes beyond the YA fiction I am so accustomed to.

jenni_elyse's review against another edition

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2.0

The concept of The Handmaid's Tale was very interesting and thought provoking, but I didn't much care for the execution. I felt like there wasn't enough backstory as to how this society became what it was. I also didn't really like Margaret Atwood's writing style.

booksarebetter's review against another edition

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5.0

Reread: Still love June. Still despise all the shit women are forced to go through. 5 ⭐.

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Yes, it's gory. Yes, it's based on black history making it white instead. Yes, it's problematic. But damn if I wasn't hooked on every page! 5 ⭐