In the near future, the United States as become the Republic of Gilead. An outbreak of sterility leads to a frightening mono-theocratic type of control. Women are severely limited in their roles, basically breeders and housekeepers. The book is the tale of one Handmaid who still remembers what life was like before her rights were taken away.

Fans of dystopian fiction owe it to themselves to read this powerful novel.

I liked the tone of the book, and how it made me feel very close to what was going on. It doesn't always make sense and it jumps around, but it fits very well.

Personally, it's the political issues of dystopian fiction that I find most interesting, and there is very little of that in this novel. That was the intention of the author, though, and it suits the novel well.

sad. I felt bad for just about every character in the book, even the men. I suppose most women readers would feel anger at the injustice, but I found myself feel very sad for all of them. I don't think anyone in the book felt happy with their role in this new society.

it's a classic and it is so for a reason. It's a great, powerful read.

The book is often classified as feminist literature, but don't be scared off by that. It's not exactly anti-male, at least I personally didn't take it that way. It's just one woman's perspective of a society in which the male leaders take away the rights of the females. Many (if not all) of the male characters in the novel have their freedom taken away or restricted, as well.

Interested in buying this? Support Writing.Com by making your purchase of The Handmaid's Tale   from Amazon.Com!

Created Mar 30, 2012 at 7:08am • Submit your own review...