The Handmaid's Tale

by Margaret Atwood
The Handmaid's Tale cover
Good Books rating 4.12
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £9.99 Hardback • £16.99
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  • ID: 1268
  • Added: 2025-10-02
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780099511663
  • Publisher: Random House
  • Published: 2010-01-01
  • Formats: 75
  • Reviews: 4

The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel that explores a world where women are stripped of their rights and forced into reproductive servitude in the theocratic dictatorship of Gilead. The story follows Offred, a Handmaid assigned to bear children for the ruling class, as she navigates the terrifying landscape of torture and persecution. Through flashbacks, she recalls her pre-revolution life, contrasting it with her current reality. The novel is a powerful exploration of power, resistance, and the indomitable human spirit, with themes that remain relevant today. /n/n Margaret Atwood's masterpiece has become a cultural phenomenon, sparking conversations about feminism, religion, and politics. The novel's chilling depiction of a totalitarian regime and its impact on individuals has resonated with readers worldwide, making it a timeless classic. Its blend of speculative fiction and sharp social commentary has cemented its place as a seminal work in the dystopian genre.

Reviews
Lairof Reviews · 2024-07-11
engaging 3.50

The novel is a quick read due to its breaks in the story, but the constant time jumps were not favored. Overall, it was liked but not loved.

The reviewer enjoyed the pacing of the book, finding it to be a quick read thanks to the breaks in the story. However, the frequent time jumps were a bit jarring and took away from the overall experience. Despite this, the novel was appreciated for its engaging narrative and thought-provoking themes. They found the characters and setting immersive, making it a compelling read overall.

Quick quotes

    There are plenty of breaks in the story which made it a fairly quick read.

    Overall I liked the novel but didn't love the constant jumps in time.

    It was appreciated for its engaging narrative and thought-provoking themes.

George L Thomas · 2023-04-21
thought-provoking 4.00

The characters are realistic and relatable, the setting is immersive, and the message is thought-provoking, making it a page-turner.

The reviewer praised the book for its realistic and relatable characters, which made the story deeply engaging. The setting is immersive, pulling the reader into the dystopian world. The thought-provoking message about oppression and resistance resonated strongly. The pacing of the book keeps readers turning the pages, making it a compelling and unforgettable read. The reviewer appreciated the balance between character development and thematic depth.

Quick quotes

    Its characters are realistic and relatable; its setting is immersive; its message is thought-provoking.

    Its pace keeps you turning pages.

    The reviewer appreciated the balance between character development and thematic depth.

UU Library Blog · 2020-04-23
chilling 4.50

This book is seen as a fictional warning to the real world, with its themes resonating strongly with current societal issues.

The reviewer views this book as more than just a work of fiction; it's a stark warning about the potential dangers of societal and political extremism. The themes of gender inequality and reproductive rights are particularly highlighted as timely and relevant. The book's ability to blend satire with a chilling narrative makes it a powerful read.

Quick quotes

    The Handmaid's Tale is fictional. Some might call it satire, but it's also a warning to the real world.

    Sometimes you can reach a wider audience with fiction than you can with a straightforward presentation of facts.

    The themes of gender inequality and reproductive rights are particularly highlighted as timely and relevant.

The Guardian · 2010-09-25
haunting 4.50

The book is hauntingly beautiful and chillingly realistic, with a powerful message about women's objectification.

The reviewer found The Handmaid's Tale to be hauntingly beautiful, with a chillingly realistic portrayal of a dystopian society. The objectification of women in the story is particularly striking and thought-provoking. They appreciated the book's ability to blend beauty with horror, making it a memorable and impactful read. The setting and characters are immersive, drawing the reader into a world that feels both familiar and terrifying.

Quick quotes

    I found The Handmaid's Tale to be hauntingly beautiful.

    The objectification of Handmaids is chillingly realistic.

    It's not futuristic, the objectification of Handmaids is chillingly realistic.

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