I've now read "The Handmaid's Tale" three times. Once, in the 80s when I was in high school when it came out. Twice, about 10 years ago, to re-read a classic. And now, I've read the graphic novel of the book.
I recognized this book as a science fiction classic when it first came out. With parallelisms to societies today taken over by fundamental religious groups it presents a harrowing world where women, in a strange way; are actually in control. But not in ways they imagined. With the birth rate down, some women are deemed useable for breeding only. Once the baby is born, as long as it is normal then one's place is set in society. The Handmaiden at the center of the "Handmaid's Tale" is one of those women, kept by a family, free to do certain things, but not really "free" in this alternate society unless she gives birth to a healthy baby. The novel as this graphic novel does ends abruptly.
The illustrations are illustrations that are perfect in describing the horror of the new world the heroine of the book finds herself in. My only issue is that in this adaptation, none of the humor in the actual book is present, and there are dsome darkly funny moments. This should be used as a companion to the actual novel, which is essential fantasy/science fiction reading as much as the "Lord of the Rings" series or "Dune" is. If you like graphic novel adaptations overall you will enjoy this, but if this is your first introduction to the wonderful work by Atwood please read the novel first.
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Reviews with images
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Wonderful hardcover “Graphic” Novel!
I purchased this knowing full well what a graphic novel was! I was looking forward to receiving the hardcover, and viewing the detailed art/illustrations by Renee Nault. I’ve read the book itself, listened to the Audible version and follow the series on Hulu. I like Graphic novels also. This is a fine hardcover (even The Walking Dead Compendiums are not hardcovers)!Kudos to Renée Nault on her work on this, beautiful crafted artwork, tastefully done in a world of dark times for all woman owned by Gilead. Showing light, bright and shades of dark colors all where needed within the storyline. The eyes are the windows to the soul - Human souls here showing good, bad and ones will.It’s really easy to follow the flow of the story/illustrations, typesetting. Glad I made this purchase - looking forward to see what else Renée brings forth! Maybe the upcoming release in September of The Testaments?! Also thanks Margaret Atwood for such a great book!Nolite te bastardes carborundorum!
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2019
Reviewed in the United States on March 24, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2019
I purchased this knowing full well what a graphic novel was! I was looking forward to receiving the hardcover, and viewing the detailed art/illustrations by Renee Nault. I’ve read the book itself, listened to the Audible version and follow the series on Hulu. I like Graphic novels also. This is a fine hardcover (even The Walking Dead Compendiums are not hardcovers)!
Kudos to Renée Nault on her work on this, beautiful crafted artwork, tastefully done in a world of dark times for all woman owned by Gilead. Showing light, bright and shades of dark colors all where needed within the storyline. The eyes are the windows to the soul - Human souls here showing good, bad and ones will.
It’s really easy to follow the flow of the story/illustrations, typesetting. Glad I made this purchase - looking forward to see what else Renée brings forth! Maybe the upcoming release in September of The Testaments?! Also thanks Margaret Atwood for such a great book!
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum!
Kudos to Renée Nault on her work on this, beautiful crafted artwork, tastefully done in a world of dark times for all woman owned by Gilead. Showing light, bright and shades of dark colors all where needed within the storyline. The eyes are the windows to the soul - Human souls here showing good, bad and ones will.
It’s really easy to follow the flow of the story/illustrations, typesetting. Glad I made this purchase - looking forward to see what else Renée brings forth! Maybe the upcoming release in September of The Testaments?! Also thanks Margaret Atwood for such a great book!
Nolite te bastardes carborundorum!
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2023
Reviewed in the United States on July 1, 2020
I bought this book not knowing it was a graphic novel ( a careless mistake) but I ended up falling in love with Offred and her story that took place in the future. I would love to read the novel someday, maybe when libraries reopen. The images in this graphic novel can be quite shocking and provocative, so be aware of that. There isn’t much dialogue or internal thoughts from the protagonist. The pictures a lot of the time finish telling the story. There’s a lot of things i didn’t understand like what really happened to Moira after she escaped the red center, and this book has given me a new perspective on life in general. Overall this book is a hidden gem, and I highly recommend it for people who find the plot of the story interesting but are not fond of reading.
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on June 8, 2023
Top reviews from other countries
Judith
Resistió el viaje a pesar de estar mal empaquetado.
Reviewed in Mexico on August 25, 2020
Judith
Reviewed in Mexico on August 25, 2020
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Captain Canuck
Beautiful illustrations and thought provoking story
Reviewed in Canada on April 11, 2019
Shaista
A memorable purchase
Reviewed in India on October 17, 2020
Shaista
Reviewed in India on October 17, 2020
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