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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed the book I loved the detail and thought the world building was good aside from the fact it feels like Gilead is a city from the discussions of locations rather than the whole country but that’s just how I perceived it, also having read this after seeing some of the show I just felt there was going to be more action and I was a bit let down by that
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i couldn’t stop reading omg
it was actually really unsettling and eerie especially towards the end but i really liked it and especially in the 2025 political climate important to read so that this never happens
it was actually really unsettling and eerie especially towards the end but i really liked it and especially in the 2025 political climate important to read so that this never happens
challenging
dark
informative
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Classism
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, War
Minor: Confinement, Pregnancy
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I’ve seen a few episodes of the show years ago and it felt so heavy that I had to take a break. When I saw the audiobook on BorrowBox, I knew I needed to go back to it, especially with the political climate in America in 2025.
I really liked the way it is written, with the first person narrator questioning her own memories of the ‘before times’ and even recalling stories how she wishes it had played out. It feels really visceral and painful for her to think about how her life used to be, with her husband and child. There’s also a recognition within her that she was fairly naive to think this was temporary and that she would reunite with her family soon. She recalls memories of her friend Moira and her mom warning them that change is coming. There’s themes of rising religious extremism, sudden limitations of women’s rights such as access to their own bank accounts, education and birth control. In the book, there’s a clear link between capitalism and the subjection of women’s bodies, with the government restricting freedom of speech, censorship of the news and creation of propaganda reinforcing this new status quo.
The book was written 40 years ago and yet feels more relevant than ever. I would definitely recommend everyone to read this at their own pace because it is very heavy and thought provoking
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I appreciate what this book represents, but not how it’s told. I struggled to get through it.
The writing style was super slow and kind of all over the place. I kept waiting for something to happen, and when it finally did, I didn’t feel much. The main character felt distant, and the constant vague flashbacks didn’t help either.
I respect the message, but the story just didn’t pull me in. Overall great concept, just not for me.
The writing style was super slow and kind of all over the place. I kept waiting for something to happen, and when it finally did, I didn’t feel much. The main character felt distant, and the constant vague flashbacks didn’t help either.
I respect the message, but the story just didn’t pull me in. Overall great concept, just not for me.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated