A review by booksjessreads
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

challenging dark mysterious sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I found I wasn't massively drawn to this book for the first half and struggled to keep picking it up between reads. The world that the Handmaid's live in intrigued me, but Atwood's style of writing was the thing that made me feel slightly disconnected from the novel. 

However, when reaching the mid-way point, I found myself being more engaged in it, mainly influenced by the fact that you work out what the Handmaid's are used for. I have found myself reviewing this at 3.5 stars because I didn't find the book completely engaging. I find the symbolism in this book is more interesting than the book and plot itself. 

But despite having a lower rating, this is definitely something I will re-read because I want to completely and utterly analyse the hell out of it. There is so much symbology and meaning to this text and I want to take my time next time to completely uncover it all. I feel like after, my rating would probably be higher. However, from a first read with not much reading between the lines, this is where I have placed it. I do think it has much potential to be higher as I re-read and analyse the content.

Overall, complicated feelings with this book. However, if you love dystopian fiction, and can stomach the trigger warnings, then I would recommend this!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings