Reviews

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

ada_reads61's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

5.0

magical_mads's review against another edition

challenging dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

kmg48381's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

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

2.25

corinicolebyers's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad fast-paced

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

4.5

kaitlynfurtado's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

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

4.75

lacyedwards's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

4.0

bradenchu's review against another edition

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Religious bigotry, Sexism, Rape, Sexual violence, Violence, and Sexual assault

amanda1793's review against another edition

3.0

Finally finished. The app I had been using to listen to this book stopped playing at 12 hours. Ugh.

I found this book interesting. I also have some fear for the future based on this story.

I found it interesting that the men in this world attempt to both "worship" and "oppress" the women. These terms are used lightly (especially "worship"). I had a hard time at first discovering why this book is such a feminist story (based on the oppression that is VERY evident), and then nearing the end I discovered the reasons, to a degree.

I would recommend this story to anyone. I am very intrigued to watch the show and hope to enjoy it just as much.

slymberis's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

I enjoyed this book but the ending was not satisfying to me. It almost felt like a cop out.

bibliophile80's review against another edition

4.0

I would probably give this book four and a half stars if I could. This was my first Atwood book. The language is just stunning. It was the kind of book that I wanted to savor, rolling her images around my mind like you would eat a truffle. I would have loved to have a more resolved ending. The historical addendum was an interesting way to put Offred's experiences into perspective. Overall, it was a beautiful statement on a horrifying alternative society, one that fits well into the current dystopian style despite being written decades ago.