I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Claire Danes, and I am not sure how much that affected my enjoyment of this novel. The droning narration, coupled with the static writing, was not conducive to maintaining concentration. The subject of the narration often changed seamlessly, cross-fading from one story to a different one, so that several times I found myself thinking, wait, she's talking about "this" when I thought she was just talking about "that." I would then rewind back a minute or so to reorient myself.

As for the story itself, I never felt immersed in that world, and I had too many questions and doubts about the plausibility of the success of the religious cult in setting up such a socio-political structure so quickly and completely.

It took until about half way through the story before I started to feel the slightest emotional investment, as the story is recounted by the main character in such a dry objective manner, best summarized as, "This is life in Gilead. It sucks." Beyond that, there was no tension, no conflict, no plot development. While we are told how cold, impersonal, and debasing life is under this system, all the characters appear to have settled into their rolls, if a bit reluctantly. There is some lip service given about an underground resistance movement, but it's not developed into anything offering conflict and interest to the story.

I am all for feminism (although Atwood even says this novel is not about that), and I loathe organized religion, but, in the end, I found myself unable to connect with the ideas being expressed here.

In the afterword of the book, Atwood talks about the research that went into the story, and the historical precedents for the changes that have taken place in the country. While I can appreciate the author's scholarship and the sincerity in the expression of her ideas, as a work of fiction, this story simply failed to draw me in, and when the last scene faded to black, so too Offred and the world of Gilead. ( )

Wow. This book is one that floored me, not only in terms of the story but the literary merit. It is beautifully and thoughtfully written from a unique perspective. The coda to the story is nothing short of brilliant and provides some fuel to think about how we view past events. There are some who may hate this book because of the subject matter, and for that I would completely understand. As for myself, I think this is one of the best dystopian/sci-fi novels I have had the pleasure of reading. ( )

This was a book club read, and although I didn't think it was my kind of book, I really did try to give it a fair chance. Unfortunately, it was just so ridiculous that j can't believe scares people. This book could only be scary if you really don't understand anything about religion or the human race. If the people in charge ran things this way, the human race would just die out because apparently we're too stupid to live. Not nearly as believable as 1984. The author is definitely on my DNR list. ( )

I am probably missing something here.

I had trouble relating to the characters; there were a lot of flashbacks and foreboding signs, but the main character does basically nothing. She just passively wafts from one situation to another. Lots of clever word-play from the author but little by way of story. ( )

The Handmaid’s Tale sent shivers up and down my back. The whole premise seems to follow the Republican Project 2025. Government controls the life and death of everyone, but mostly women. So many freedoms no longer exist. A lone Commander controls the birth of the population. JD Vance would love this book that explains a woman’s sole purpose rests in creation of the next generation. The women fall into three groups: the breeders or handmaids, the Marthas or those past breeding duties, and the econowives that must do all the work. Very few men exist in the book, just the Commander and the guards. Fear dominates. All must obey or suffer the consequences. Those who disobey are hanged on the wall and left for all to see. A terrible glimpse into what could happen. ( )

It's scary. What's even scarier is that it can easily happen. Just like Orwell's "1984", Collins' "Hunger Games" or any "Black Mirror" episode. Unlike Hunger Games dystopia (power lies in the military) and "1984" (fascistic power of one Party), the power of the government in "Handmaid's tale" lies in the church. The Bible is pretty much regarded as the constitution. That way the women are considered a second-class citizens. Their only purpose is the give birth to children. They are not free. It's a scary thought. I've always said that organized religion is bad for us. This serves as an example of just how bad it can get. The novel is interesting, but too short. The only thing I really don't like is the cliffhanger. At least we've got that awesome epilogue set in 2195. One thing is certain about all the totalitarian regimes: they won't last. ( )

I re-read this, because I had nominated it for our town's One Book selection, though it didn't get chosen. I originally read it in the mid- to late-90's and found it very intense. Now, it's even more intense, considering all the dystopian novels that are prominent in this day and age. It was just as great of a read as I'd remembered. The movie is fabulous, as well, but I prefer the book. ( )

Fascinating. It is an interesting look at how society falls apart, so scary. ( )

Book 266 Handmaid's Tale. Margaret Atwood. Normally I like to read a book before I watch it as a film or a series but I am glad with this one that I had watched the series (long enough to forget all the details but close enough to help me understand the plot). The series goes in chronological order. The book doesn't. It throws you in the deep end and as I only learnt from Barbie the other day about the word Patriarchal.... Here it is again. I had already read The Blind Assassin by M Atwood book before and really struggled with that one. This time I enjoyed it although I wouldn't be confident at explaining it to anyone. Imaginative and shocking.
8.5/10
Free to a good home. ( )

Fine social and psychological study. Good writing, compelling story. Worryingly believable. It makes you stop and think about giving your rights for granted. It also describes well how values and feelings are influenced by the context and how human beings adaptation skills may become a mixed blessing, when the environment you learn to adapt to is hell. It only missed the fifth star because it did not blow me completely off my shoes. However, big standing ovation to the ending and Historical Notes (they were more chilling to me than all the preceding horrors. It must have been the lightheartedness) and to the absence of heroic redeeming deeds as plot-resolution device.
Teen feet over the other dystopian novels in the same vein.
Should be read in schools all over the planet. ( )

Some moments were repetitive. But literally who cares?? It was great ( )

I picked this up not really knowing what to expect. This was an incredibly dark and horrifying look at the extreme ends of patterns which are clearly visible today.

[reread] after rereading this, i think i got so much more out of it (so much i upped the rating 0.5 stars). the 'stream of consciousness' writing style is somewhat reminiscent of sally rooney's (even though i know this was published before). i love that so much of the novel is up for interpretation (even though possible 'clues' are left throughout), as it think it only enhances what offred and the handmaid's must feel re. not knowing for certain what is going on / what really happens at the end of the main narrative. ( )

I always find it amazing how the written language can move the soul in ways that make us feel different emotions.

This book was AMAZING. It has all the right elements in one space. The subtle references to the past; the feminist views; and even the lecture at the end of the book, makes this novel relevant to today's current events.

There are so many emotions going through my mind that I have no idea how I feel right now...in a good way. The narrator, never eve making her real name, paints a picture where women are being marginalized by women and men.

I would most definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dystopian novels, and is a feminist at heart :) ( )

Shocking tale ( )

There are no words to describe how much this book impacted me. Especially in turbulent times, such as now, it left me in a slightly terrified silence as I saw so many parallels with the current political climate. This was a very quick and engrossing read. ( )

Unnerving especially in light of Trump's election. I read it the summer he was campaigning and it made my skin crawl. ( )

A captivating fiction. The dystopia the author describes through the narrative of Offred is rich and quite disturbing. The more I read, the more curious I am about this world. I would say I did not really understand the circumstances or the background of this dystopia until the last part of the book. The last part of the book explained many things about the dystopia, the society, the narrator's fate, which I think was really creative of the author to make it a historian's presentation in the far future. ( )

An unmatched level of prose in this one. Parts of the story stopped me short, with haunting flickers of relatability in traumatic female experiences. It's obviously a classic that I needed to finally check off my TBR list, but now I have to read the sequel because the ending left me hanging off a cliff! ( )

**spoiler alert** ***Spoilers***

I puzzled over how to rate this book.

On one hand, it was well written by Margaret Atwood and expertly delivered by Claire Danes.

On the other hand, I didn't *like* it. I hate that Offred may have had a happy ending, or may have had an even worse ending than what she had suffered thus far. I don't like not knowing. I hate how it made me seriously consider the possibility of such a regime in my own world, and the true stories of oppression abroad that I read about in the news. This book's dark subject matter and the way I became immersed adversely affected my daily mood and overall happiness for the duration of my listening.

So, I don't like the book.

But it did change me and my perspective. ...and is that not the hallmark of an excellent book? ( )

The Handmaid’s Tale

I liked this book very much. I found it wasn’t too much of a stretch to imagine a totalitarian state in light of present world events. I hope to read more from this author. Very enjoyable and entertaining book. ( )

Here's what I wrote in 2013 about this read: "Glad to have read this one; dystopian America where women lose all rights and are forced into narrowly-defined roles, with one class of women serving as child-bearers only." Quotations in the comments section are my exact kindle highlights. ( )

Gemischte Gefühle über Der Report der Magd

Es ist unbestritten, dass Der Report der Magd von Margaret Atwood eine faszinierende Handlung hat und einen tiefen Einblick in eine düstere dystopische Welt bietet. Jedoch habe ich unterschiedliche Empfindungen nach dem Lesen des Buches, was zu einer Bewertung von drei Sternen führt.



Der Report der Magd ♦ Margaret Atwood

Meinung

Die dystopische Perspektive, die Atwood in dem Roman geschaffen hat, ist zweifellos einer der wichtigsten Aspekte. Die Welt von Der Report der Magd ist realistisch, düster und beklemmend. Denn die Autorin schafft es, eine Atmosphäre von Kontrolle und Unterdrückung zu schaffen, die mich, als Leserin, zum Nachdenken angeregt hat, besonders im Hinblick auf aktuelle Ereignisse der letzten Jahre, wenn wir einen Blick über den großen Teich werfen.

Trotzdem fand ich einige Handlungen der Hauptfigur Desfred schwierig zu verstehen. Es war schwierig, eine tiefere Verbindung zu ihr aufzubauen, weil ihre Handlungen manchmal unlogisch oder nicht ausreichend motiviert schienen. Dieser Mangel an Verständnis für die Beweggründe der Hauptfigur beeinträchtigte meine Gesamterfahrung mit dem Buch erheblich.

Der Schreibstil von Margaret Atwood ist ein weiterer Faktor, der meine Bewertung beeinflusst. Trotz der anspruchsvollen und literarischen Sprache fand ich den Schreibstil nicht immer flüssig genug. Viele Abschnitte waren überladen, was es schwierig machte, in die Geschichte einzutauchen. Ein flüssigerer Schreibstil hätte das Lesen für mich sicherlich angenehmer gemacht.

Fazit

Zusammenfassend ist Der Report der Magd von Margaret Atwood in jeder Hinsicht ein einzigartiges und bedeutendes Werk, das wichtige Themen anspricht. Obwohl die dystopische Welt und die düstere Atmosphäre beeindruckend sind, haben die unklaren Handlungen der Protagonistin und der nicht immer flüssige Schreibstil meine Gesamteinschätzung des Buches beeinträchtigt. Daher vergebe ich drei Sterne, die aber nicht als negativ einzustufen sind.


This review was first published at The Art of Reading. ( )

Clearly I'm the last person on Earth to read this book - I haven't even seen the series! - but although I admired the writing and thought the plot to be a scarily plausible commentary on men ... I wasn't bowled over, I have to admit. In fact, for a relatively short novel, the first half kept sending me to sleep. And from what I already knew of the story, I was surprised that the worldbuilding was neither as futuristic or historical as I imagined, unless the 80s counts as history.

Offred the unreliable narrator and the fractured narrative were almost poetical, and even when I didn't understand what was happening, I was captivated by the words. The thought of women existing just to have children is a nightmare scenario for me - I would rather have been sent to the Colonies or strung up! - but this line really shocked me: 'After the books were transferred they were supposed to go to the shredder, but sometimes I took them home with me.' Imagine destroying the original after making a notoriously ephemeral digital copy!

I don't think I'll bother with the TV adaptation, but I am tempted to continue with Offred's story in The Testaments. ( )

A instant dystopian classic. The Handmaid’s Tale is thought-provoking, terrifying, and keeps the reader asking What if? A scary tale on how women is perceived in a society where the "I" is decided by "others" since the first breathe and the dangers of control, stereotyping and role incredulity. ( )