General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHas anyone read the book "The Handmaids Tale? I got it on clearance. Planning on taking it on vaca
Almost finished with McCain's book. I might slip in the HMT before Comey's book
I never watched the show so I don't know much about it.
pnwest
(3,266 posts)demtenjeep
(31,997 posts)but DH thinks that taking political books wouldn't be vacay books either
Last year I took Giant of the Senate and really enjoyed it
Madam Mossfern
(2,340 posts)especially if one is used to reading dystopian novels.
It's a quick read. I was kind of disappointed in it.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)Margaret Atwood is an incredible author.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)Have read the book over 10 times.
guillaumeb
(42,641 posts)My wife and daughters also read the book. The mindset described is only a slight exaggeration of the misogyny we see every day.
MicaelS
(8,747 posts)I am 60, and have read many of them, since I was 10. Starting with Alas Babylon, IIRC.
NutmegYankee
(16,201 posts)Written during the rise of the religious right during Reagan years.
Solly Mack
(90,779 posts)It's a must read in my opinion.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)It's not "real," an entire nation where people who were once, you know, US, with cars and TVs and free choice, are now serfs tilling fields, slavishly obeying orders, and not allowed to read. Just go with it.
Sanity Claws
(21,852 posts)Describes a possible dystopia very well.
Whether vacation is the best time to read it is another matter.
Squinch
(50,993 posts)lunatica
(53,410 posts)Because the premise of the book is now easy to imagine happening in this country. It is quite unnerving.
You wont regret it. The series is also outstanding and deserves every award its gotten.
Margaret Atwood was involved somewhat in the making of the series. She has repeatedly said that everything in the book has been done in real history.
The first season covers the entirety of the book. The second season is an exploration of what could happen after. Margaret Atwood is OK with that.
itcfish
(1,828 posts)I think it should be read by everyone especially now.
Maeve
(42,287 posts)I've been thinking of digging out my old copy and re-reading it and I have it in hand now.
Laffy Kat
(16,386 posts)I was a first-wave HT reader. It was a great read but I wouldn't want to read it again. I'm depressed enough as it is, LOL.
SharonClark
(10,014 posts)Asking if anyone has read The Handmaid's Tale and stating you know nothing about it?
"The Handmaid's Tale won the 1985 Governor General's Award and the first Arthur C. Clarke Award in 1987; it was also nominated for the 1986 Nebula Award, the 1986 Booker Prize, and the 1987 Prometheus Award. The book has been adapted into a 1990 film, a 2000 opera, a television series, and other media".
I think you can assume a lot of people over age 30 have read the book. It's a classic.
meadowlander
(4,402 posts)Atwood traveled to Saudi Arabia before writing it and tried to imagine what the US would be like if the far right imposed the Christian equivalent of Sharia law.
Not a breezy beach book exactly but something everyone should read at least once.
leftynyc
(26,060 posts)I'd find something lighter for a vacation. It's chilling and would be even more so if I read it today.