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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
In Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale, the United States, in reaction to Islamic terrorist attacks and reduced fertility rates, has devolved into an intolerant Christian-based religious society where women are stripped of their freedom and defined by their sole purpose as either a wife (Wife), womb (Handmaid), servant (Martha), prostitute (Jezebel), or propagandists (Aunt). Those who refuse these roles are stripped of the title of woman, being referred to as unwomen, and sent to colonies to do manual labor.
In light of the events of the last fifteen years in the United States, which include a terrorist attack by Islamic fundamentalists, the increasing political power of the religious right, loss of privacy and freedom based on fear, and several political moves that serve to undermine women's rights, Atwood's novel seems eerily predictive. Although the progression from a modern free society to an oppressive regime occurs too rapidly to be entirely believable, the resulting marginalization of women, religious fundamentalism, and overall loss of freedom seem very possible. It is this possibility that makes The Handmaid's Tale a truly terrifying read.
I really enjoyed the Atwood's writing style, which is very distinctive. Her subdued prose effectively conveys the depression experienced by the novel's narrator, Offred. That said, it did take me a couple chapters to get used to the style, particularly because I was also confused about the world, which is unravelled slowly, creating some initial confusion. I liked Offred, but her lack of initiative, which she herself acknowledges, is frustrating at times, although understandable given her dire circumstances, the brainwashing she's endured, and the loss she's experienced.
This novel deals with some pretty disturbing situations, and is not for the faint of heart. For anyone looking for a good dystopian novel, and who isn't afraid to deal with some unsettling topics, I recommend this book.
In light of the events of the last fifteen years in the United States, which include a terrorist attack by Islamic fundamentalists, the increasing political power of the religious right, loss of privacy and freedom based on fear, and several political moves that serve to undermine women's rights, Atwood's novel seems eerily predictive. Although the progression from a modern free society to an oppressive regime occurs too rapidly to be entirely believable, the resulting marginalization of women, religious fundamentalism, and overall loss of freedom seem very possible. It is this possibility that makes The Handmaid's Tale a truly terrifying read.
I really enjoyed the Atwood's writing style, which is very distinctive. Her subdued prose effectively conveys the depression experienced by the novel's narrator, Offred. That said, it did take me a couple chapters to get used to the style, particularly because I was also confused about the world, which is unravelled slowly, creating some initial confusion. I liked Offred, but her lack of initiative, which she herself acknowledges, is frustrating at times, although understandable given her dire circumstances, the brainwashing she's endured, and the loss she's experienced.
This novel deals with some pretty disturbing situations, and is not for the faint of heart. For anyone looking for a good dystopian novel, and who isn't afraid to deal with some unsettling topics, I recommend this book.
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
La historia es magnífica y cruda que parece no estar tan cerca de la realidad. En los pensamientos y acciones de Defred se puede ver cómo le va afectando el régimen.
Este libro es mi primer acercamiento a Margaret Atwood y me ha gustado mucho su forma de escribir, sin dudarlo, leeré más de sus obras.
Este libro es mi primer acercamiento a Margaret Atwood y me ha gustado mucho su forma de escribir, sin dudarlo, leeré más de sus obras.
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Last week they shot a woman, right about here. She was a Martha. She was fumbling in her robe, for her pass, and they thought she was hunting for a bomb. They thought she was a man in disguise. There have been such incidents." (Ch 4)
"And so I step up, into the darkness within; or else the light." (Ch 46)
"And so I step up, into the darkness within; or else the light." (Ch 46)
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
I really dislike the "Historical notes" chapter. So one star less.