The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood 

 

*4.5 STARS*

 

So, um, yeah, that just happened.  I finished reading this book and I was floored.  I had to go to fluffy, light reading for a few days just to help process this.  The book was great, it was, but it was eerie that a book written in 1986 can be so relevant today.

 

I got chills when the narrator, Offred was talking about how women's rights were slowly eroded before the big change occurred.  First it was not access to abortions, then not being able to get birth control.  What the heck did the author know that we don't? Considering what's happening in 2017, it's like she was looking into a crystal ball.

 

Anyway, I'm getting off my soapbox because this review is not meant to be political AT ALL.  But what is supposed to be is an ode to the this amazing story.  It was hard to read at times...like a lot of times, but it was worth the struggle.  

 

I listened to this on audio and it was mesmerizing.  Claire Danes did an amazing job.  The reason I took off 1/2 star is because the beginning was very confusing.  It was like I walked into the middle of the story.  I was lost for a while trying to figure out what was going on, but I think that is exactly what the author intended.  We were made to feel like the Handmaids when all the changes occurred I think.

 

But, things were revealed in time.  How scary!  At one point I thought to myself that I would have rather have been confused because getting all the details didn't make me feel better at all!  I guess that was the point.  But considering the world we live in today, it was like the author got a roadmap to lead us here.  AMAZING JOB!