Helpful Score: 17
An excellent and disturbing near future story. In the Republic of Gilead - which is what appeared after the US was violently overthrown - women are property, with few rights, and no control over their own destinies or bodies. We meet Offred - a handmaid to her Commander - and learn some of her past, as well as some of the history that brought the Republic into power.
Full of disturbing imagery, this is a powerful story that will make you think. Highly recommended.
Full of disturbing imagery, this is a powerful story that will make you think. Highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 12
I truly fascinating book about what happens when separation of Church and State collapse and a small but powerful group with very strong beliefs forces one and all to submit. The writing is very strong, with artful, and compelling use of suspense and characters. Once you start, it's a pageturner from start to finish.
Helpful Score: 12
This book is amazing, intelligent and thought-provoking. It's my first exposure to Margaret Atwood and, on the strength of this one, I'll be reading her other books.
A cautionary tale, told through simple fiction, it more than deserves all the attention it garnered. A must read!
A cautionary tale, told through simple fiction, it more than deserves all the attention it garnered. A must read!
Helpful Score: 8
A very disturbing vision of the future. Though written twenty years ago, the topics seem modern: mix of church and state - pro life/choice - women's rights - protection of the earth and environment - religious freedoms. Great book for a reading group. Wonderful character and environment development. Very quick read, but the story won't leave you as quickly.
Helpful Score: 7
This is a great book and one that should be read by more people, not only women. There are some scary parallels in the novel to things that have happened in the last few years. The dominionists in this country who'd like to see America become a theocracy are not that far away from the ruling party in this book. I can't recommend it highly enough.
