The Handmaid's Tale Kindle Edition

I first read The Handmaid's Tale around the time it was published in 1986. I was just 22, a sheltered young thing. I recall wondering what everyone was raving about, since only the top story layer of the book connected for me. Now, with decades of life experience behind me, I see that this is a deeply moving, complex book. I'm so glad I decide to read again just at this moment in time.

You would think that something written thirty years ago would seem dated. But that wasn't the case for me. If anything, I think there are so many things imagined in the book which have become more possible today instead of less. In a sense, this is a cautionary tale that a large art of the population ignored or misunderstood.

More than ever, we should be reading this and sharing it with the young women in our lives. And discussing it with them, so they see more of the depth than my 22-year-old self did.

Margaret Atwood imagined a world where a totalitarian power went into action against foreign zealots and their own people's "wanton" behavior. This power was meant to make the world better, but it also created a world of highly distinct "haves" and "have nots."

She says, “Better never means better for everyone... It always means worse, for some.” It might be just me (although I suspect not) but this sure sounds like what we often hear today on the news and in conversations.

Reading this at the end of 2016 after a brutal election cycle, the following quote from Atwood seems both wise and horrible. Have we not been hearing about people who feel invisible?

“We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories"

Atwood's Republic of Gilead gives people one-dimensional functions. Correction - she gives women one-dimensional functions. They are Wives, Marthas, Handmaids, Aunts, or Unwomen (and a few more which would be spoilers). Unwomen are rebels, likely to be banished to the toxic waste dumps of the colonies. Everyone else plays a part in the singular female focus - procreation. As I read, I wondered what category I'd fall into should I have the bad luck to land in Gilead. The women there have no layers of life or experience. They are expected only to fulfill their narrow role.

Why is procreation such a focus? Because of falling birth rates among white people. This book doesn't discuss race except one small spot near the end. It's as if there is only one race in Gilead. And the only people in that race with any power are men.

The main character, Offred (literally of Fred named after the Commander she serves) is the perfect blend of weak and strong. She tells us of her past and says, “When we think of the past it's the beautiful things we pick out. We want to believe it was all like that.” But her life is not beautiful. And Atwood straddles the line of past and present, sending back and forth in a way that keeps you wanting more. Just as Offred wants more. Just as we all want more for ourselves and the generations of women coming after us.

If you read this book long ago, pick it up again. If you haven't yet read it, move it up to the top of your TBR. Buy it for friends. Buy for your sons and daughters. Use it to teach and to learn what kind of world we could be if we stop valuing the diversity of all people.

I bought this book as a present for one of my friends since I already read it and got to love it! Canadian Author Margaret Atwood depicted dystopian society in this novel, formed because of lack of fertility, where antifeminism has reached its peak. Though the book is pretty dark, it makes the reader think a lot and is very fast to read. Once started, one hardly can stop. It is a remarkable piece.

The book is written using first person narrative technique, which helps to empathize and get connected with the main hero, the handmade Offglen even better. There are many parallels drawn between The Republic of Gilead and The US, but nowhere does it explicitly state that the described state is The US. There is a lot of symbolism and imagery, which make the novel rich and beautiful. Every other time going through it new things get connected in readers mind and develops a deeper understanding of this novel. I particularly enjoyed the very last part, but will not spoil for readers. It's definitely must read!

I ordered paperback. The book came in great packaging and in great condition.

Update: May 28, 2017

I bought the book again for another one of my acquaintances. The book is regaining new popularity and "second life" in a sense, since the recent situation in the world and especially in the US is finding a suite with the depictions of the book, unfortunately. I would recommend this book now more then ever to read, analyze, understand and fight for the life you would like to live and for the world you would like to live in.

I liked the book, it had an interesting plot. Looking forward to seeing how HULU does the show...however, I will warn you that there isn't a definitive ending to the book...so for anyone that likes to have an ending, this might not be for you.

Without giving this book much time to fully digest, I am struggling between my praise of the author's wonderful storytelling that wouldn't release me from its grasp and the hatred I have brewing for the lack of closure found for Offred. It's honestly a toss up.

I don't think I have ever highlighted a book as often as I did here and thank God for kindle dictionary. I applaud that Atwood presents a flawed human lead and while I disagree with the girl's choices, I wonder what I would have done in similar circumstances, at least those under her confinement. As a Christian and political conservative, I agree that morality cannot be forced on those unwilling to choose it for themselves. There is no grace here from the new government. Everything from killing abortionists, homosexuals, adulterers, thieves, to the hatred for dissidents in opposing religious, ethnic and especially gender fields make even the devout leaders or religious leaders do so in name only. That is not free will. That isn't even Biblical. I do think the author touched on that, when her gal is confronted if God would approve of this? No, He wouldn't. He gave us the example of free will. Bad people will use whatever they can (even religion) to gain power. So I do not find this a treatise on anti-Christianity. In fact many of the biblical examples used showcase (if you keep reading scriptures) how their sins ruined them.

I find the reference to Rape of the Sabine insightful. Too bad it wasn't explored more.

I wish that there was a disclaimer on graphic language and sexual explicitness, as the nature of the book would be a great one for teens/college. But alas I cannot recommend it, even to those much older.