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#35: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Republic of Gilead offers Offred only one function: to breed. If she deviates, she will, like dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire - neither Offred's nor that of the two men on which her future hangs.

Brilliantly conceived and executed, this powerful evocation of twenty-first century America gives full rein to Margaret Atwood's devastating irony, wit and astute perception.

  • Paperback: 324 pages
  • Publisher: Vintage; New Ed edition (5 July 1996)
  • ISBN: 9780099740919

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Margaret Atwood is the author of more than thirty books of fiction, poetry and critical essays.

In addition to the classic The Handmaid's Tale, her novels include Cat's Eye, shortlisted for the Booker Prize, Alias Grace, which won the Giller Prize in Canada and the Premio Mondello in Italy, The Blind Assassin, winner of the 2000 Booker Prize and Oryx and Crake, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize. Her most recent novel, The Year of the Flood, was published in 2009. She was awarded the Prince of Asturias Prize for Literature in 2008.

Margaret Atwood lives in Toronto, Canada



REVIEW:
Well, alrighty then....
I feel like I'm supposed to love this book, but I don't. That's not to say I don't like it a whole bunch though. It's not an easy story to read. The subject matter can hit way too close to home, especially for women. The idea of this 'slave society' is not so far-fetched. Hard to believe a book written in the 80's still holds so much relevance today. Maybe even more so now, I think. 
The author is highly acclaimed for her superior writing skills, and it comes through the page in an eloquent way. I admit, though eloquent, it was sometimes just plain weird too. Not the actual writing, but how it came across in my mind while I read it. I can definitely see why people re-read this one over and over again. I can also see why the hoopla surrounding the book. It was a truly epic story.
What I don't get is why it's on the Banned Book List. The subject matter is not for kids, that's true, but this book would still make a great literary suggestion for senior high school kids, college or university. Then again, I don't think any book should be banned.
If you are adult, and haven't read this classic book, I urge you to do so. Everyone should try it at least once.


4.5/5


**No compensation was received for posting. Compensation will be earned if purchases are made from the links within. I purchased this copy. Opinions are owned by this site.

Comments

  1. I see you didn't love it, but still gave it a lot of stars. I do think it's one of her best books.

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  2. Yes, I have read it. Some people's minds are just amazing. I could never think like that.

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  3. Good to see your thoughts on it. It is definitely tough in subject matter. I found it downright terrifying half the time. I don't know I will ever read it again, though. Once was enough for me. I am glad I read it though.

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  4. Yes, I've read it. It's a book that you have to take your time reading, not an easy read as you say. It's a thoughtful book, I'm glad I read it, even though the subject matter is disturbing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. I found it pretty scary...and unforgettable. Thanks for the review. Enjoyed reading your views.

    ReplyDelete

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