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Julie G's Reviews > The Handmaid’s Tale
The Handmaid’s Tale (The Handmaid's Tale, #1)
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Julie G's review
bookshelves: book-club, worthy-of-another-read, 80-from-the-1980s, apocalypse-now, hurricane-margaret, o-canada
Apr 01, 2011
bookshelves: book-club, worthy-of-another-read, 80-from-the-1980s, apocalypse-now, hurricane-margaret, o-canada
What do a fanatical atheist, a fanatical Muslim and a fanatical Christian have in common? Everything. They have everything in common, and they are exactly the same. Why? Because, once you've become fanatical, you lose all objectivity, develop a tunnel vision that allows you to see only one thing in one way, and lack the ability to relate to anything other than your own fanaticism. Ironically, you become exactly the same as the fanatic standing next to you, even if that fanatic's viewpoint is completely opposed to yours.
And here, in this now-30 year old novel of Atwood's, she explores this place, this space, of fanaticism. As in, what happens when the fanatics take over? And, I can tell you, without any plot spoilers, that. . . blech. . . what happens is not good.
Bad times, but, as usual, above-the-bar, so high-the-bar writing from Ms. Atwood. These topics can rarely be given the exploration they need, unless they're left in the hands of a master writer, and luckily, they were.
And here, in this now-30 year old novel of Atwood's, she explores this place, this space, of fanaticism. As in, what happens when the fanatics take over? And, I can tell you, without any plot spoilers, that. . . blech. . . what happens is not good.
Bad times, but, as usual, above-the-bar, so high-the-bar writing from Ms. Atwood. These topics can rarely be given the exploration they need, unless they're left in the hands of a master writer, and luckily, they were.
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Reading Progress
April 1, 2011
– Shelved
January 26, 2016
–
Started Reading
February 3, 2016
–
Finished Reading
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Joe
(last edited Nov 18, 2017 08:31PM)
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Nov 18, 2017 08:06PM
I see that you reviewed this great novel in 2011. I read it for the first time during the inauguration of our acting president while he was lying about the crowd size and threatening to ban Muslims from several countries. Atwood's harrowing vision took on a whole new meaning then and needless to say, it captivated me. Hard to believe and also depressing that she wrote this in the 1980s. Great review, Julie.
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Thanks, Joe. I've actually read The Handmaid's Tale three times. . . in case you haven't guessed. . . I'm nutty for Atwood. Which makes me wonder, have you read Oryx and Crake and/or The MaddAddam trilogy yet??
Julie, I think you already know my low opinion of Margaret Atwood's writing skills, but your review is a splendid one. In fact, you write far better than she does!
Kevin, Noooooooo!!!!!! Are you playing with me?? Come on, now! Atwood??? I sit at her throne! What have you read????
Julie wrote: "Kevin, Noooooooo!!!!!! Are you playing with me?? Come on, now! Atwood??? I sit at her throne! What have you read????"
Handmaid's Tale.
Poorly written and overrated (so sorry). You can read my review, but you won't be happy.
That said, way more people seem to agree than disagree with me.
: )
Okay, Kevin. Would you consider reading her best novel, The Blind Assassin and getting back to me? That's all I ask. At some point, will you please read it?
Julie wrote: "Okay, Kevin. Would you consider reading her best novel, The Blind Assassin and getting back to me? That's all I ask. At some point, will you please read it?"As it's you, and you are a very astute lady, I shall consider it.
In fact, I'm adding it now!
; )
Julie, as you know, I love Margaret Atwood, but for some reason, I had a hard time getting into this one, despite my ardent love for Ms. Atwood's MaddAddam trilogy, The Blind Assassin, and her short stories. She was remarkably prescient in predicting the rise of the crazies, though. And I love your review!
John,It's okay. You don't have to love them all! Personally, I never was a fan of Alias Grace or Cat's Eye, even though I do wonder if I should give each of them another try.
P.S. Thank you.
I have this in my library. Might be time to read it. I just hope I don't see Elizabeth Moss in my head while reading it...
And great review btw! Always enjoy myself
Karina,That is so sweet. Thank you. Tell me, is Elizabeth Moss in the most recent series of The Handmaid's Tale?
Julie, having now read Ms. Strout, with her great generosity of soul, I am more aware of the hard edge that sometimes creeps into Margaret Atwood's writing. Not saying that's bad, but I notice it more now.
Yes she is. She's the main character as far as I know. Not my favorite actress...
