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Esta's Reviews > The Handmaid’s Tale

The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
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it was amazing
bookshelves: owned

The Handmaid’s Tale—or, as we call it now, ‘The News.�
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Reading Progress

Finished Reading
December 17, 2019 – Shelved

Comments Showing 1-50 of 53 (53 new)


Barbara I was frustrated that one needed to read Cliff Notes to understand what she was saying...LOL


Panic!_at_the_Library (formerly known as MonReads) Oh no. I was gonna read this but never mind. 🤪


Esta Barbara wrote: "I was frustrated that one needed to read Cliff Notes to understand what she was saying...LOL"

Haha, I totally get it! It took me a while but I ended up loving it and raging against the patriarchy after reading this, which is the desired effect I like to seek out in my literature sometimes, LOL 😆


Esta MonReads wrote: "Oh no. I was gonna read this but never mind. 🤪"

If you skip reading it, I highly recommend the TV show Mon. I loved the first season (written pretty faithfully to the book) more than the book!


Emma.catherine I am glad you got so much from it that it earned 4 🌟 lovely 😻 I personally found it very hard to read and didn’t enjoy it much but I know many who love it


Sarah Ah yes, sadly relevant. We have a tradition of watching V for Vendetta on the 5th of November. It too has become more and more relevant. I was saying to my friend the other day that soon these dystopias will just be� topias? 😉


message 7: by Thibault (new)

Thibault Busschots It really is a shame that some of these dystopia stories seem to be becoming a reality.


Niharika So articulate, so true.


message 9: by nina ʚïɞ (new)

nina ʚïɞ Not the news 😭 I feel like I’m missing out on something good here lol I haven’t seen the show or read this. So glad you enjoyed it love 💗


message 10: by Jackie (new)

Jackie Stone Oooooooofff


message 11: by Jackie (new)

Jackie Stone Hitting me where it hurts 😭


message 12: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Emma.catherine wrote: "I am glad you got so much from it that it earned 4 🌟 lovely 😻 I personally found it very hard to read and didn’t enjoy it much but I know many who love it"

Thank you, my beautiful love! Isn’t it fascinating how books hit each of us so differently? I do love a good dystopia to spook me—it’s eerie how close to home they can feel, and this one especially hit that nerve when I read it. 💗💘😘


message 13: by Esta (last edited Nov 09, 2024 12:20PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Sarah wrote: "Ah yes, sadly relevant. We have a tradition of watching V for Vendetta on the 5th of November. It too has become more and more relevant. I was saying to my friend the other day that soon these dyst..."

V for Vendetta on the 5th? Lol, a history lesson at this point. 😆 Topias, 100% yes lmao! Love it, Sarah! Laugh-cry to it all 🥲


message 14: by len ❀ (new)

len ❀ alternative title: the usa’s tale


message 15: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Thibault wrote: "It really is a shame that some of these dystopia stories seem to be becoming a reality."

It's really disheartening isn't it, Thibault. I miss the days when dystopias were a warning, rather than a non fiction spoiler alert. 🥺🙃


message 16: by inciminci (new)

inciminci Sadly true... 🖤


message 17: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Niharika wrote: "So articulate, so true."

Right back at you Niharika!


message 18: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Nina wrote: "Not the news 😭 I feel like I’m missing out on something good here lol I haven’t seen the show or read this. So glad you enjoyed it love 💗"

It's pretty wild and prescient in so many ways Nina. Right now it feels extra timely, with everything that's going on. But I said that about this book a few years ago too with the Roe vs Wade overturn, lol. I hope you love it if you try it lovely! 💗


Maeghan 🦋 HIATUS on & off 🫠😔 happy to see those 4� though, light of my day 💗�


message 20: by Tina (new)

Tina I've never read this nor watched the series! I just might change that this coming new year. Your short review intrigued me!!!


message 21: by Christy (new)

Christy fictional_traits I’ve read some of Atwood’s other books but never this one, nor the series. I might just have to give it a try!


message 22: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Jackie wrote: "Oooooooofff"

Jackie wrote: "Hitting me where it hurts 😭"

I'm hurting with you Jackie! ❤️‍� I'm so sorry. I feel like Atwood is a prophet.


message 23: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta len ❀ wrote: "alternative title: the usa’s tale"

💯🥺❤️‍�


message 24: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta inciminci wrote: "Sadly true... 🖤"

Very sad Inci :( Margaret Atwood is a prophetic treasure. 🤍


message 25: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Maeghan 🦋 HIATUS on & off wrote: "🫠😔 happy to see those 4� though, light of my day 💗�"

Thank you so much, my sunshine bestie 💖 I read it years ago, but every re-read feels more relevant than ever. 🙃🥲


message 26: by Mai (new)

Mai H. TRUTH


message 27: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Tina wrote: "I've never read this nor watched the series! I just might change that this coming new year. Your short review intrigued me!!!"

I hope it's an impactful dystopian read for you Tina! I'll keep an eye out for your thoughts when you get to it. Thanks so much 🥰


message 28: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Christy wrote: "I’ve read some of Atwood’s other books but never this one, nor the series. I might just have to give it a try!"

Ooh if you like dystopian fiction, Atwood is one of my favourites! Handmaid's Tale in particular is quite timely. The TV series is incredible too, just as good or even better than the book, in my opinion! Hope you are spooked by it (in a good way) too Christy! Thanks so much 🥰


message 29: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Mai wrote: "TRUTH"

❤️‍𷳹🥲�


message 30: by Mark (new) - added it

Mark  Porton "The News" indeed Esta and it's horrible. Well said :))


message 31: by Kristi (new) - added it

Kristi under his eye.


message 32: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Mark wrote: ""The News" indeed Esta and it's horrible. Well said :))"

Many thanks, Mark! 🥲 Atwood is a treasure, and I know you appreciate her stuff too 🙌


message 33: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Kristi wrote: "under his eye."

May the Lord open� 🥲🤢🙃


message 34: by Sara (new) - rated it 4 stars

Sara Machado (trying to catch up) A sad but entirely true review! What a sad world we are living in now. I'm wondering how many more states will be banning this precious title after its demand increase post re-election 😫 Sending you a lot of love babe!


message 35: by Stephanie (new) - added it

Stephanie Toland So sad. And yet so true! I’m still trying to process that I am now living in a dystopian world! Good thing I have a LOT about it’s coming! Going to get my bow ready! Stay safe!


message 36: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Sara wrote: "A sad but entirely true review! What a sad world we are living in now. I'm wondering how many more states will be banning this precious title after its demand increase post re-election 😫 Sending yo..."

Ugh, right? But honestly, if they think a ban will stop people from reading, they're in for a surprise—nothing boosts a book’s appeal like a "banned" stamp. Sending love right back to you, babe! Miss you. LY 💗🥺


message 37: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Stephanie wrote: "So sad. And yet so true! I’m still trying to process that I am now living in a dystopian world! Good thing I have a LOT about it’s coming! Going to get my bow ready! Stay safe!"

I know right? Wild that this can now double as a “How-To� manual. Right back at you Stephanie! 🖤


message 38: by Em (new)

Em I sometimes feel like, unfortunately, there's an entire political party (or more accurately big business billionaires using idiotic politicians) referring to dystopian novels as a "How to" guide--but not for survival--as a guide for instituting repression and slowly eroding civil liberties. Most people just don't realize that step 1 took place decades ago when the US got rid of all of our regulations on news and media, making it possible for so-called news organizations to manipulate viewers 1984 style. FOX isn't even allowed to be called news in Canada because they still have these regulations. Step 1 is always "Make the populace ignorant." That goes hand in hand with undercutting public education, the cornerstone of the middle class. There have been quite a few alarm bells going off for a while now.

Yes, I agree, absolutely.

You might read Atwood's Oryx and Crake series because what is about to happen to our planet when the great orange virus eliminates all environmental protections...again...is even worse news. We only get one planet after all. So I'm torn over which aspect of this horror show to worry about most, honestly.


message 39: by Esta (last edited Nov 12, 2024 12:46AM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Em wrote: "I sometimes feel like, unfortunately, there's an entire political party (or more accurately big business billionaires using idiotic politicians) referring to dystopian novels as a "How to" guide--b..."

Thanks so much for your comment Em! And yes, the war on public education, book banning and the spread of disinformation make it all too easy to usher in exactly the kind of dystopia we’d rather keep on the fiction shelf.

And speaking of Atwood, Oryx & Crake is my favourite! Wild how many of her “what ifs� have already checked themselves off in our reality bingo. I still need to read books 2 and 3, and I’m both excited and mildly terrified to see where she takes it. Atwood really is a genius. Now, if only I could figure out which of her worlds to be most worried about becoming our own�


kendyl ʚ♡⃛ɞ so sad, but so true. happy to see those five stars angel!


message 41: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta kendyl ʚ♡⃛ɞ (review slump) wrote: "so sad, but so true. happy to see those five stars angel!"

Thank you so much, my beautiful Kendyl angel. It's such a strange, unsettling time we’re in, but having people like you who spread kindness in the world makes it a little brighter. Love you so much! 💐🖤


message 42: by Lisa (new) - rated it 5 stars

Lisa A succinct but deafening review, Esta


message 43: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Lisa wrote: "A succinct but deafening review, Esta"

Thanks so much, Lisa and I'm so pleased to see your appreciation of this timeless/timely Atwood classic too 🙌 🥺


message 44: by Zana (new) - rated it 3 stars

Zana Short and concise


message 45: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Zana wrote: "Short and concise "

Blessed be the fruit.


Zaynab Full marks for precision 😉🤩​​​� Can't believe it's almost 10 years since I read this 😬�


Jsiva I was made to read this in high school. I squirmed through all fecund symbolism and was horrified when watching the movie.... it was so uncomfortable hearing my teacher read out loud parts of the book in high school. But you hit the nail on the head Esta... it's relevant more now than ever with the reversal of roe vs. wade and the loss to the right to abortion....a far cry from a country that it was...


Julie G Ugh! You are so right. (Unfortunately).


message 49: by Esta (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Zaynab wrote: "Full marks for precision 😉🤩​​​� Can't believe it's almost 10 years since I read this 😬�"

Same here Zaynab! I feel like if I re-read it now, it would hit harder than ever 🥺🥲 Thanks ml ❤️


message 50: by Esta (last edited Jan 10, 2025 05:59PM) (new) - rated it 5 stars

Esta Jsiva wrote: "I was made to read this in high school. I squirmed through all fecund symbolism and was horrified when watching the movie.... it was so uncomfortable hearing my teacher read out loud parts of the b..."

I can only imagine how squirmy and uncomfortable and read and watch it would've been in school Jsiva! It’s pretty wild and disheartening that a story written decades ago still feels so relevant today. I guess the silver lining is that it continues to spark those tough but important conversations. Nolite te bastardes carborundorum.


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