Book: The Handmaid’s Tale
Author: Margaret Atwood
With the popularity of Hulu’s hit adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, I have decided to review this 1985 dystopian novel.
I realise I am late to the game, but I haven’t seen the award-winning TV show as of yet and I am happy for this, as I’m a keen supporter of reading a book before seeing it translated to the screen.
Intriguing but not quite the impressive read I was expecting, The Handmaid’s Tale is nonetheless a well-crafted book.
It is a timeless piece of writing, where Atwood has created an interesting and believable dystopian world.
Set in Gilead – a totalitarian society – it is a thought-provoking story that delivers the scattered memories of an imprisoned and tortured woman.
Its beautiful imagery and word craft make the entire scenario so much more realistic, an aspect that has resonated with me since I turned the last page.
Told from the perspective of main character Offred, the novel was at times a little slow to read, however, persevere through these moments.
Despite it being a tough read at times, I really like how the narrative pushes you out of your comfort zone as you move through the pages.
Whether you’ve seen the series or not I would recommend giving the book a chance, especially as there is a clear divide among people in regards to the quality of the book versus the television show.
The Handmaid’s Tale is available at Jashanmal Seef Mall and City Centre Bahrain for BD6.100.