Reviews

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

mhubner's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • 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

4.5

jenmangler's review against another edition

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4.0

Felt the need to reread this book in light of all that's happening in our country right now. As always, this book truly scares the crap out of me, mostly because Atwood only includes things that have already happened in our world (past or present) in her descriptions of Gilead. Knowing that we have been and still are capable of creating such a world terrifies me.

thebonekingdom's review against another edition

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3.5

It was really funny to read this book after some of the events that happened in France recently. It's fascinating how dystopian novels resonate and denounce situations that happened/happen/could happen in real life. 

This book is not about being a hero, a revolutionary trying to overthrow an injust government, but more about trying to survive in a country that actively sees you as an object and something to be owned.

The ending surprised me, and while I was listening to the audiobook, I thought it was not part of the novel but quickly realised my mistake. 

I thought I would like it more than that, but it was still okay.

lbrusa's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

cherrypopgirlielibrary's review against another edition

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3.0

This book was amazing. It was also hard to get through. Not because of the language, but because of the material. It was mesmerizing, but it took me a few months to read, because I'd have to put it down, take a break, and then pick it back up again. I do highly recommend it, though. I thought the writing style was different, but captivating. I do forewarn, you will be highly frustrated by most of the events in this book.

sarah_stack's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5

letkris10sing's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • 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

3.5

eliza_beth1's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional informative 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? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

alexdoubt's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5, rounded up

magicprincess2686's review against another edition

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challenging dark reflective 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

4.25