Book Review: 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood

I know it's been a while since I last blogged, which is mostly because I was working every day at home, and then went away on holiday for 10 days (blog post about my trip coming soon - yay, something that's not a review!).

I have, however, kept reading over the past month and so I thought it was about time I started reviewing before I forget all my thoughts about the books.

I finished 'The Handmaid's Tale' about 3 weeks ago, but I'll do my best to recall my thoughts. I had heard of the book several times in the past, but it didn't properly catch my attention until it was featured in Emma Watson's 'Our Shared Shelf' Goodreads reading list, which is a book club of sorts in which she picks a new book, usually with some link to feminism, each month and followers read and share their views. I've been following the club for a while, but hadn't got round to reading any of the books on it until now.

I couldn't resist finding a copy on a recent trip to Waterstones. Shortly after, I discovered that a 10-episode TV drama depicting the story is currently running. This has certainly led to a new wave of interest in the novel. I wanted to wait until after I finished the book to start watching, and I did watch the first episode, but due to being away I still have a few to catch up on!

Brief Summary (based predominately on my own interpretation): Set in the not-too-distant future, people are not free. Women are given roles in society. That of the Handmaid is to reproduce. Pleasure is sinful. The story follows Offred and other women she meets as they figure out how to survive, how to battle through, and whether this new life is to be the norm. 

Atwood's ability to describe everything so beautifully and in such detail, but still completely understandable and not too tough to read, is astounding. Each place Offred went, each horror she experienced, I felt it.

I don't however think I totally understood everything the book intended. In fact, I know I didn't. Some symbols seemed so clear, the names of the Handmaid's for example, linking them as property of men (Of-name e.g. OfFred, OfWarren etc.) I suppose I read the book as a statement of warning to modern society, that, in terms of equality and divisions and priorities, we risk going backwards instead of progressing. However, there were many other connotations, for example religious, which I did not fully comprehend.

There was a lot of anger and violence portrayed in these books that was subsequently taken out on citizens. Particular prejudices held by those in power which led them to execute those they could not find a 'category' or 'role' for numerous reasons. The hatred towards these people was encouraged among others. With many recent events of violence still very fresh in my mind, I couldn't help but draw comparisons regarding scaremongering and prejudice and the devastation these can lead to.

My mum recently told me that Atwood was referencing the Shah of Iran and the situation of that time in Handmaid's Tale. This was after I had finished the book, but I have done a small amount of reading up about it and it is true that Atwood referenced these events in her historical notes. Some critics have identified an intended parallel between the Republic of Gilead (the fictional setting of the novel) and Iran under the Shah's rule. This is one explanation given for how alien the setting  appears to modern American readers.  So was Atwood actually giving a warning to the US/West about their own society, or about our position with regard to others, where things have not progressed as far?

I found this really interesting, and it made me realise that my first read really had been to be read the story as a story and take in the settings and characters and plot, but there are certainly many many references I have missed.

When watching the first TV episode, I realised that many of the novel's events have been altered in order to add action and make it more dramatic and engaging, however I hope to use the next 9 episodes to find new meanings, and I would really love to give the book a second read in the near future. It's not very long, so this should definitely be possible. I like books that make me google things, that force me to break away from my relative naivety and become more knowledgeable about situations I probably should already know more about, but also give me characters to care about at the same time

The Daily Telegraph quote on the front of my copy read "Compulsively readable' and I am inclined to degree. Despite perhaps lacking in action for long stretches, I didn't want to put this book down. The narration and flashes between past and present pull you in, coupled with the flawless flow of the words on the page and handy chapter lengths.

I am also very keen to read more of Emma Watson's 'Our Shared Shelf' books ... some of the titles look like fab reads!

I followed this read with a lighter, YA book (actually I think I might post some time about book 'quality' and 'good' books and how people determine what is 'acceptable' for them to read, but that's for another time...!) so there will be a totally different kind of review coming very soon!

Catriona xx






Reading Challenge: 7/21