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timeforthecheck 's review for:
The Handmaid's Tale
by Margaret Atwood
challenging
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
This book is by no means an easy read. If you are paying attention to the world, The Handmaid’s Tale holds a mirror up to the atrocities that are real life for countries now, and for countries that are heading down this road.
It’s often compared to 1984, and I think it’s a disservice to both books. Both stand on their own, and while they do share numerous similar themes, they should be looked at individually.
Atwood did a phenomenal job immersing the reader into Gilead. The writing showcases this beautifully as it’s pretty minimalistic and simple, but that’s because our protagonist, is simple and minimalistic. (She is forced to be). The characters are complex! The government has given everyone “the freedom from”, and sure you can take away freedoms, but their thoughts and small choices show the characters’ nuances and complexity. Speaking of the government, their gaslighting was, unfortunately, on point. It’s all for you. Look how nice it is not to choose, why do you want the struggle..etc. The ambiguous ending was a right choice I feel, and I’m glad it went that way. (At the beginning June is the only name not mentioned again, so I’m curious if Offred was/is June, or if that was a coincidence). And if Atwood could give me 50 more pages of historical notes, I would appreciate it. It was my favorite part.
Now, I did want more how and why this happened. We only scratched the surface. I love the little details (or big), so give me more of that. I also didn’t think the switch between past and present didn’t work at all times, it was fine and important, but it was definitely clunky at parts.
If you like dystopian novels, depressing novels, extremists, and (the terrifying) scorn for democratic institutions, this book is for you
It’s often compared to 1984, and I think it’s a disservice to both books. Both stand on their own, and while they do share numerous similar themes, they should be looked at individually.
Atwood did a phenomenal job immersing the reader into Gilead. The writing showcases this beautifully as it’s pretty minimalistic and simple, but that’s because our protagonist, is simple and minimalistic. (She is forced to be). The characters are complex! The government has given everyone “the freedom from”, and sure you can take away freedoms, but their thoughts and small choices show the characters’ nuances and complexity. Speaking of the government, their gaslighting was, unfortunately, on point. It’s all for you. Look how nice it is not to choose, why do you want the struggle..etc. The ambiguous ending was a right choice I feel, and I’m glad it went that way. (At the beginning June is the only name not mentioned again, so I’m curious if Offred was/is June, or if that was a coincidence). And if Atwood could give me 50 more pages of historical notes, I would appreciate it. It was my favorite part.
Now, I did want more how and why this happened. We only scratched the surface. I love the little details (or big), so give me more of that. I also didn’t think the switch between past and present didn’t work at all times, it was fine and important, but it was definitely clunky at parts.
If you like dystopian novels, depressing novels, extremists, and (the terrifying) scorn for democratic institutions, this book is for you
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Sexual content
Moderate: Miscarriage