When tragedies occur, when things are too big to bear, I shut myself off and then down.
I read The Handmaid’s Tale on the way to California last weekend and finished it on the way back. Originally, it was my friend Ellen’s book club selection. I never made it to book club, but am glad I read it anyway.
The book is the memoir of a young woman set sometime in the future when the United States no longer exists, and the Republic of Gilead has taken over and “far-right Schlafly/Falwell-type ideals have been carried to extremes in the monotheocratic government.” In other words, a feminist’s nightmare.
But I delved into the politics bit after I was finished reading. While I was turning the pages, it was more about the main character, known as Offred, and the relationships this new Republic kept hidden – her husband, her daughter, her best friend. The way in which Offred compartmentalizes these struggles reminded me of myself.
Offred’s painful storage of the loss of her husband and daughter only gives us glimpses into the memories of these relationships. If the words were visual, I can imagine much of Offred’s mind resembling the cinematography of the French film Bleu. It was easier for Offred to speak about Moira, her best friend, and I especially liked learning about their relationship and how Moria was Offred’s strength, since I’ve often felt the same way about my best friend.
There is humor – it’s not all drab clouds in The Handmaid’s Tale, but also the story is gripping and not to be missed.
9 replies on “The Handmaid’s Tale”
They did actually make a movie about it:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0099731/
Margaret Atwood is really fantastic. I haven’t gotten to Handmaid’s Tale yet, but it’s literally on my nightstand right now ready for me to start it.
If you haven’t read any of her other stuff, you’re in for a treat because she’s turned out many great books–move on to Alias Grace, Blind Assassin, Orxy & Crake…I just finished Cat’s Eye and I loved it. The only book of hers that I didn’t like so far was Robber Bride–stay away from that one…
@ firewings – Ooh! I’ll have to check it out :)
@ Anna – Haha, I will stay away from Robber Bride! I’m excited to read other Margaret Atwood books – I saw that Handmaid’s Tale was quite different from her other novels, so I’m excited to see how. I love how writers evolve. Thanks for all the recommendations!!
I first read this book as a teenager and I think it’s safe to say it made a big impression on me.
I saw Margaret Atwood speak recently–she was talking about her latest book, The Year of the Flood , but Handmaid’s Tale came up in Q&A. She said that as crazy as some o f the things in the book seem, she didn’t include anything that hadn’t happened somewhere at some point. She just put it in modern-day Cambridge.
By the way, Oryx and Crake and The Year of the Flood make for great reading, too.
@ Alli – That’s so true. I didn’t think of the plot line as all that crazy – perhaps why I focused on the relationships. I think what’s scary is that these types of things might happen again, and wondering are we on that road? What will the future hold? How can we have a voice? Is that enough? I mainly avoid these types of issues in real life, and I think part of what’s cool about The Handmaid’s Tale is that it brings oneo f the possibilities to a reality… and asks, are you going to be okay with that? Since two people have now recommended Orxy & Crake I will definitely have to put that on my list, along with the others! Thanks!
I loved Handmaid’s Tale when I read it, but in that unsettling, makes-me-question way. I suppose that’s exactly what Atwood was going for, and Alli’s explanation above makes re realize why the story had that effect.
Thanks for reminding me about a book that I should re-read, and thanks to Alli and Anna for their recommendations!
I read this for a freshman level English class in college and it’s stayed with me. I love Margaret Atwood.
@ Aurian – That’ s a great way to describe it – I felt the same. Thanks for weighing in!
@ Clare – So many people read it in high school and college – missed out on that boat : ). Love how so many people are Atwood fans – will definitely have to check the rest of her novels out!