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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was kind of scared to read this book, after all I had heard about it, but at the same time was very intrigued. I finally got it, and was glad I got this particular edition because the new introduction by the author in the beginning is very enlightening (remember, this book was written in 1984!) and I would definitely recommend reading it before jumping into the novel. I don't know that I can really say much about the book itself because I couldn't do it justice. It's well written (although a little wonky with no quotation marks, but it suits the style). It's captivating. It's terrifying. It's thought provoking. It's worthwhile.
Also, as a side note, I wonder how many people have skipped reading the "Historical Notes on The Handmaid's Tale" at the end of the book, thinking that it was actual historical notes by the author and not part of the story itself? (I almost did).
Also, as a side note, I wonder how many people have skipped reading the "Historical Notes on The Handmaid's Tale" at the end of the book, thinking that it was actual historical notes by the author and not part of the story itself? (I almost did).
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
So well written and intense! I had forgotten how great this book is.
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
How to review a classic? Dark, harrowing, disturbing and brilliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, Classism
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It took some time to get used to the way this book is written, but once you understand that the book is full of time leaps into the past, it is a very fast and very thrilling read.