Reviews - Els testaments | The StoryGraph

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13.3k reviews for:

Els testaments

Margaret Atwood

4.13 AVERAGE

rainydays191's review against another edition

4.5

adventurous reflective 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

It was really cool to see Aunt Lydia in a different light and especially interesting to see how the system was set up and how she manipulated it into working for her and bringing the society down. There was more action compared to the handmaids tale which was different but worked for the characters we had.

nerd_dee's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous dark tense fast-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

lexiejanson's review against another edition

Probably a good read for now, considering the current world events (2025).

This book is tough, but it also gives hope.
It's a stark reminder that each regime and each oppressive ideals eventually come to an end or eat themselves alive. There are always people that want "something better" for those, that come after them, and every sacrifice matters in this process.

Now to literary review:
The book is well-written, and keeps the reader engaged. At one point (knowing the tv series) I wondered if the timelines are a bit skewed, and in all truth - they were. I had to kind of guess the timeline, especially that at the end of the book we basically jump something like 10 years? If I am not mistaken! I may be, in all truth.

This is a lighter read than the handmaid's tale as there's more conversation throughout the book. There's also more action and mystery.

I really hope that Margaret Atwood can write a 3rd book... Since Handmaid's tale seems to be used as instruction manual, and the testaments may be used in a similar way... can we get a 3rd book that teaches us when to notice early signs and what to do about them? I mean... if the "bad people" have so many manuals (from history alone) then we have to have some as well. Most of the regime fall stories are sudden. We don't know how the "underground" started etc.

It's an idea, but it's also a plea for people to start reacting. Before it's too late.
Must read.