Fictional book review: The Handmaid's Tale (1985) by Margaret Atwood.

Hello all, I wanted to post a review of the first ever Atwood text I read: The Handmaid's Tale (1985). I fell that this novel is very significant at the moment, considering events that are occurring in the USA. This novel challenged ideas namely about sex and the differences between both man and woman. I noticed this the first time I read this at college for my English literature A-Level. That was necessary but I since read it again for pleasure.

Considering all that has happened in the past years , especially in the U.S.A, I can understand why they made a T.V series of this book. I have not seen that yet as I am struggling to find it on any service except Amazon. Considering Amazon's support for Israel and the thought of a extremely rich man, getting even richer because of me, I decided I was not that desperate. But this is not a blog about social politics, you want my authentic and honest book review.

It was the vivid descriptions that made this book stand out to me. Right from the beginning when I did not know much about the torrid world that the narrator was a part of, just the small details sent shivers down my spine as I tried to comprehend how negative the world must have been. It was the small details that made me question what else there would be that I had yet to uncover. I noticed in chapter two when she describes her clothes - ‘Everything except the wings around my face is red: the colour of blood, which defines us’¹ how grim things seemed. To compare her own clothing to blood suggested to me that blood was something she was used to. I started questioning these small little details such as this, thinking there was more to follow.

As the novel went on, I find parts of it a little unbearable, when thinking about what was happened. That is not to say I found it unenjoyable, because I rather did! On the other hand, there are moments where I felt confused such as the secret meetings that the narrator has. Without giving too much away, I could not believe what she was asked to do, almost as if I had to double check I had it read correctly!

I think that is something that as a reader I like. When a novel had the ability to shock, question, confuse and gross out the reader while still keeping them engaged enough to make it to the end. The thing is that as I read it again, I knew of the sequel book to this - The Testaments (2019). Not only am I an Atwood fan (as I have said) but I also own her follow up novel too. The first time I read this book, we did not have the following novel to continue on the tale, or so one hopes.

Overall I think this book is a strong book. It had been branded by some as a feminist book and by others  including the author herself at one point, it has been branded as not a feminist book. Though it does stand out, which is probably why it was banned in the U.S.A. I found out recently that Margaret Atwood recently commissioned a limited edition copy of the novel with fire-proof pages in response to the censorship of her work. Whether it is a feminist book or not, I enjoy the tale of this handmaid, with Atwood's clever use of words and small details.

One thing personally, I just wanted something more, regarding the protagonist. Whether it be more personal details or an explanation as to what happened at the end; no spoilers, just read it! Anyway, a magnificent 9/10 for this intense dystopian novel.

Thomas.

Footnotes:

¹ Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale (London: Vintage, 2017), 18.

Bibliography:

Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid's Tale. London: Vintage, 2017.