Offred is a Handmaid. She has only one function: to breed. If she refuses to play her part she will, like all dissenters, be hanged at the wall or sent out to die slowly of radiation sickness. She may walk daily to the market and utter demure words to other Handmaids, but her role is fixed, her freedom a forgotten concept.
Offred remembers her old life - love, family, a job, access to the news. It has all been taken away. But even a repressive state cannot obliterate desire.
Includes exclusive content: In The 'Backstory' you can read Margaret Atwood's account of how she came to write this landmark dystopian novel.
Visit Margaret Atwood's website for more information.
Review:
I honestly don't think I can write a proper review for this novel because I don't have the words to express my feelings for it properly but it's such an incredible book that I have to try. It isn't an easy read, it was depressing, heartbreaking, sickening and so horrifically believable that it makes you scared for the direction the world is going in.
It's terrifying to think that all of the ways women are abused and controlled in this story have either happened in recent history or are STILL happening right this very minute somewhere in the world. You don't even have to dig deep to imagine a totalitarian society like this being created in modern day America in the not too distant future either.
I would have hoped that a book written 30 years ago would feel less possible today than it did then but sadly that is far from the case. Women's rights have come a long way in the West but there is still a long way to go before all women treated like equals. Everyone should read this book, if you're any kind of decent person you'll find it deeply disturbing but it will definitely make you think and I'm sure it will leave a lasting impact.
Source: Purchased
Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.
Paperback / Kindle:
No comments:
Post a Comment