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A review by unabridged_reader
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
5.0
Phenomenal in content, writing, and overall world-building. Though a dystopian, what differentiates The Handmaid's Tale , written in 1985, is that the world described by Atwood is explained so well. Readers are not left confused by the the society Offred lived in because the setting is described so vividly and all details remain consistent throughout the novel.
Also, the character development of Offred was exceptional and realistic. Her narration really read as a very descriptive diary. As a reader you could watch her grow with opinions and see her lose her ignorance..
Must say that Atwood's sense of humor and use of irony added to the overall narration of the story as well. No part of The Handmaid's Tale was dull. My only regret was that I picked this up for a school assignment. I felt rushed because I had a deadline but at the same time I question whether I would have finished this had it not been for school because its complexity goes beyond the YA fiction I am so accustomed to.
Also, the character development of Offred was exceptional and realistic. Her narration really read as a very descriptive diary. As a reader you could watch her grow with opinions and see her lose her ignorance.
Spoiler
I loved how Offred is at first just a voice, merely describing the world she lives in without a shred of rebellion in her. Moira was the rebellious character, but the protagonist did not emerge as a hero until later on as she, as well as readers, grow with more knowledge and stronger opinions on the Gildean empire. This I found to be a breath of fresh air considering that many dystopians are narrated in a similar fashion with the protagonist already predictably rebellious with strong opinions that readers are supposed to agree withMust say that Atwood's sense of humor and use of irony added to the overall narration of the story as well. No part of The Handmaid's Tale was dull. My only regret was that I picked this up for a school assignment. I felt rushed because I had a deadline but at the same time I question whether I would have finished this had it not been for school because its complexity goes beyond the YA fiction I am so accustomed to.