The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid's Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1)

by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid's Tale is a radical departure for Margaret Atwood. Set in the near future, in a locale that oddly resembles Cambridge, Massachusetts, it describes life in what was once the United States. Now, however, it has become the Republic of Gilead, a monolithic theocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to the repressive intolerance of the original Puritans, and has gone far beyond them. This regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for women, and for men as well.

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Reviewed by adamfortuna on

4 of 5 stars

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This was the first book I read in 2013 by a female author -- after reading 36 other books. After finishing it, my initial reaction wasn't altogether positive. The more I reflected on the book, I came to realize how amazing a world Atwood created in this dystopian tale. Not one of my all-time favorites, but still great storytelling.

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  • Started reading
  • 30 November, 2013: Finished reading
  • 30 November, 2013: Reviewed