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Dolors's Reviews > The Handmaid's Tale
The Handmaid's Tale
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Closed the book last night and I'm still a bit dazed.
It's a weird feeling because I don't know whether I liked this novel or not. Pages flew by, I was engaged, I wanted to know more about this strange world, but at the same time I didn't. I felt threatened and anxious, does that make any sense?
Maybe some of the scenes became too plausible for my taste. Would it be possible? I couldn't stop wondering.
The future, Gilhead, somewhere in the States, after a war. Society has changed, men rule it, women obey.
Offred is a handmaid, her role is to bear children, she is property of the Commanders, and she only has 3 opportunities (3 different Commanders) to become pregnant, after that, she becomes an unwoman and she is sent off to the "Colonies" to die. Love is no longer an issue.
Offred tells us about her present and her not so far away past, when she had a husband and a daughter, and work and independence. The story moves onwards and backwards in time and it's not easy to have the whole picture, you are left with a lot of questions hanging until nearly the end.
And even after it's finished, you still have questions, of course.
Some would say this is a feminist book. It might be, but truth is, it has a point. And it's scary to think what might become of our world, because what's more unbelievable is the fact that this scenario might be a possibility someday.
And I have to say that the book is extremely well written, it's reflective and sad and touching in an alarming way.
It seems I've made my mind after all, this novel is quality and it deserves to be read with attention.
While it's still allowed.
It's a weird feeling because I don't know whether I liked this novel or not. Pages flew by, I was engaged, I wanted to know more about this strange world, but at the same time I didn't. I felt threatened and anxious, does that make any sense?
Maybe some of the scenes became too plausible for my taste. Would it be possible? I couldn't stop wondering.
The future, Gilhead, somewhere in the States, after a war. Society has changed, men rule it, women obey.
Offred is a handmaid, her role is to bear children, she is property of the Commanders, and she only has 3 opportunities (3 different Commanders) to become pregnant, after that, she becomes an unwoman and she is sent off to the "Colonies" to die. Love is no longer an issue.
Offred tells us about her present and her not so far away past, when she had a husband and a daughter, and work and independence. The story moves onwards and backwards in time and it's not easy to have the whole picture, you are left with a lot of questions hanging until nearly the end.
And even after it's finished, you still have questions, of course.
Some would say this is a feminist book. It might be, but truth is, it has a point. And it's scary to think what might become of our world, because what's more unbelievable is the fact that this scenario might be a possibility someday.
And I have to say that the book is extremely well written, it's reflective and sad and touching in an alarming way.
It seems I've made my mind after all, this novel is quality and it deserves to be read with attention.
While it's still allowed.
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March 19, 2013
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Cecily
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rated it 5 stars
Mar 20, 2013 02:17PM
Much as I admire and enjoy her works, I often think it's a shame Atwood is so often pigeon-holed as a feminist writer: I'm sure it puts off many who would otherwise enjoy her books, especially (but not only) men.
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Cecily wrote: "Much as I admire and enjoy her works, I often think it's a shame Atwood is so often pigeon-holed as a feminist writer: I'm sure it puts off many who would otherwise enjoy her books, especially (but..."It's a shame that feminism in general is so demonized by society, but that's another matter entirely.
Ali wrote: "Aubrey wrote: It's a shame that feminism in general is so demonized by society, but that's another matter entirely.Yeah, and if it weren't demonised ideally her being a feminist writer would neve..."
Pfffft, oh god Ali, you and your lengthy diatribes. I spent the first quarter of it thinking that you were comparing me to that utter piece of horseshit. But you weren't, and I thank you for the very good point that you've made, now that I've gotten through the entire thing.
And that reminds me, I really need to reread Invisible Man sometime soon. Hmm...
well then, you'll find jerks everywhere, obviously...it's a matter of recognizing them and try to ignore their out-of-place remarks...Coming back to the book, I'd only add that Atwood's point is to warn us that we haven't won the battle yet, not even we, privileged women who live in democratic and "advanced" countries. Could our gift of nature become a weapon in the future? It might, and that's what her story tells.
And I agree with Cecily when she says that it's a pity that some people might be put off because the story is labelled as "feminist" when it's actually a deep reflection worthy, at least, to consider...
I've never really investigated this book closely, even though I recently bought a copy. This review and thread makes me think it is essential reading.There are some things that ought to be demonised, and feminism is not one of them.
I think the use of the term "PC" should be demonised, as opposed to the concept.
The Right has demonised the term, in order to castrate the Left.
However, the Right forgets that the Status Quo and Conservatism and Religion have been demonising the Other/Heretics/the Left/"Non-U's"/People Not Like Us forever.
It's only when minorities started to fight back that the Right started to complain about PC.
Not bad for a sleepy missive. The PC label is a shield and a sword that acts by way of intimidating and disarming an opponent in advance. It makes an opponent self-conscious about what they are about to say. Hopefully, in the minds of the Right, it will make them so ineffectual that they won't say what they otherwise would have. A neat way to steal someone's freedom from them.
You managed to capture all the anxiety which pervaded this tale in your review. And in only three paragraphs...
Gary wrote: "You managed to capture all the anxiety which pervaded this tale in your review. And in only three paragraphs..."I really appreciate your comment Gary, this are more my own musings than an intended review!
Ian wrote: "Not bad for a sleepy missive. The PC label is a shield and a sword that acts by way of intimidating and disarming a opponent in advance. It makes an opponent self-conscious about what they are abou..."
Can't help but admire you guys, who at least can discuss whether PC is demonised by the American Political Parties or not, here in Spain the term simply doesn't exist...(sigh)
I've watched the movie adaptation of this book, and I experienced the same feelings of anxiety you describe so well Dolors. It's for this reason that I have so far avoided this particular book. I do aim to read it, but only after I've read all of Atwood's other books. Her writing makes me feel uncomfortable, not because it is bad, but I suspect because she confronts me with truths that I don't want to face. Too close to the knuckle so to speak.Excellent review as always!
Marina wrote: "I've watched the movie adaptation of this book, and I experienced the same feelings of anxiety you describe so well Dolors. It's for this reason that I have so far avoided this particular book. I d..."You hit the nail on its head Marina, my feelings exactly. This has been my only Atwood's so far, and maybe because I was so disturbed I haven't mustered the courage to pick up another one. Which other of her books would you recommend?
Dolors wrote: "Marina wrote: "I've watched the movie adaptation of this book, and I experienced the same feelings of anxiety you describe so well Dolors. It's for this reason that I have so far avoided this parti..."I've only read two. Surfacing I don't really remember, and will probably read again soon. The Blind Assassinwas extremely well written, but for me alienating and disturbing. I think I might be able to appreciate it more now, but I really don't want to revisit it. My next Atwood's going to be Alias Grace. I've already got my copy, just a matter of taking the plunge.
Marina wrote: "...I do aim to read it, but only after I've read all of Atwood's other books. Her writing makes me feel uncomfortable, not because it is bad, but I suspect because she confronts me with truths that I don't want to face. ..."All of them?!
I've only read eight, but they are all very different in content, writing style, genre and so on. Be prepared to feel and react differently to each (in a good way).
Although The Handmaid's Tale was the book staring me in the face when it came to Margaret Atwood, I've chosen to start with Oryx and Crake and didn't feel sorry, as I loved the writing style and the ideas conveyed in this SF/post-apocalyptic novel. But then, many people state that almost all of her books are good. I'll have to read and see!
Thank you Marina, I had "The blind Assassin" in my to-buy list. Adding the other two...
Ema wrote: "Although The Handmaid's Tale was the book staring me in the face when it came to Margaret Atwood, I've chosen to start with Oryx and Crake and didn't feel sorry, as I loved the writing style and th..."Yes Ema, I've heard mostly good comments about Atwood's novels, although she has a lot of detractors as well. I remember I picked "The Handmaid's Tale" with reservations but after I started reading, I just couldn't stop, the idea in the book really disturbed me, and her sterile and blank tone was strangely engaging.
Will have a look at this other novel you mention. Thank you.
Cecily wrote: "...but they are all very different in content, writing style, genre and so on. Be prepared to feel and react differently to each (in a good way)"I had gathered that from the two I've already read. And I think I'm ready to enjoy them better now. I'm sort of planning on gradually working my way through them. But my reading plans are never written on stone...
Dolors, I felt the same way you did when I finished reading the book: did I like it? Did I not like it?It definitely raises interesting questions and, as absurd as the whole situation seemed to be, I wouldn't put it behind our race that this could never happen...
And the concept of an "unwoman" leaves me speechless...!
Renato wrote: "Dolors, I felt the same way you did when I finished reading the book: did I like it? Did I not like it?It definitely raises interesting questions and, as absurd as the whole situation seemed to b..."
True Renato, there were many thought-provoking axioms in the novel and Atwood made her points skilfully. A poignant reading and an author I want to further explore. Thanks for taking the time to read my musings on this one! :)
I loved this book, although I agree it was very disturbing..
Great review, Dolors. In retrospect, it was how women were treated for centuries. So it is nothing new. A glimmer of hope is that women have become so essential to the economies of most countries, that it will take a fool to destroy it. Another morsel of hope is that men have become lazier, since liberated women do three times more than ever before! :-)) But what a terrible idea anyway.
Margitte wrote: "Great review, Dolors. In retrospect, it was how women were treated for centuries. So it is nothing new. A glimmer of hope is that women have become so essential to the economies of most countries, ..."Heh, yes Margitte. Women's salvation through economic independence ended up as modern form of slavery, I guess. But in any case, yes, Atwood's crude account of gender inequality in this book was much more than a mere dystopia. I have been meaning to read more by her but I've been lost in the bushes discovering new authors for the past months...
Margitte wrote: "Great review, Dolors. In retrospect, it was how women were treated for centuries..."And still are in many places.
Margitte wrote: "A glimmer of hope is that women have become so essential to the economies of most countries ..."
Indeed.
The beauty of Atwood is that she can provide a tale so unbelievable, but so convincingly, with enough of our current reality mixed in that by the end you realize that her proposed 'unbelievable' scenario is not so 'unbelievable', it is just that we do not want to believe in these not-so-far-fetched possibilities.
Jason wrote: "The beauty of Atwood is that she can provide a tale so unbelievable, but so convincingly, with enough of our current reality mixed in that by the end you realize that her proposed 'unbelievable' sc..."I completely agree with your remarks, Jason. The fact that Atwood's imaginary world is so believable explains why I don’t feel comfortable using the term “dystopian� for her novels. She writes of a society that is too close to what the future holds in store for us to be considered mere science fiction�
I read The Handmaid's Tale when it came out, Gilead, domination of women, and hypocrisy and all - and was not surprised when it hit big a couple of years ago due to the political climate in our own Gilead.I haven't read the sequel yet, but will wait until the TV series is finished post-pandemic, and sadly comes to an end.
We considered it post apocalyptic - never thinking it might become real life for some, and a desire of others (they won't like the book or the TV series, either). Funny how these things work out.
The premise - that the men in society can make women have children - is still terrifying. Note, however, that in the book the rest of the world being different is alluded to - and in the series deliberately shown (in the form of Canada). So Gilead was NOT the only choice.
