illest_paradise 's review for:

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

2.0

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2 ⭐️ - There’s no denying the premise of this book is absolutely terrifying, especially in America today, but the execution didn’t land for me. I kept hoping Margaret would build up toward a powerful feminist uprising or some form of resistance, but it never happens. The ending is ambiguous, which only added to my frustration. The last 20% of the book felt like Atwood gave up & just wanted to wrap it up quickly. The writing is scattered, almost like reading the journal of someone with ADHD. Margaret uses a lot of similes/metaphors, & while some are effective, others are so layered they lose meaning & pull me completely out of the story. The constant mentions of Luke & her daughter felt repetitive, unresolved, & ultimately pointless. Overall, I was disappointed & unsatisfied. This book had so much potential, but it fell flat.