The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
In the Republic of Gilead, women are free. They are no longer “free ‘to’” (free to do as they wished) as they were in the old United States, but now they are “free ‘from’” (free from fear of rape, degredation, etc). A new government has taken over, one that ‘values’ women, particularly their roles as givers of life in a time when the birth rate as plummeted. Men of rank whose wives are childless are given ‘Handmaids’ to bear children for them. This rule had been established by the biblical precedent of Rachel, Jacob’s wife. Women are closely guarded, precious resources. None are allowed to read, Handmaids must not smoke or drink alcohol, Marthas seem not to ever leave the house, daughters are given in arranged marriages at 14. Women cannot hold jobs or own property, they are subject to the rule of men and of the government.
It is in this world that the Handmaid Offred lives. Unlike the protagonists of “1984” or “A Brave New World,” Offred did not grow up in this society. It was not until she was married, with a child that the President and Congress were massacred by ‘Islamicists’ and a new, theocratic government took over. Offred is not even her real name, it is only her temporary name, effective as long as she is at her current posting and is ‘of’ (belongs to) the commander Fred. Offred can remember her job, her husband, her child, her name. Be that as it may, she is not part of a resistance but is simply, however unwillingly, following the dictates of her new society.
Although this book was written in 1985, it seems as if it could have been written yesterday as a dire prediction of future possibilities. The use of “Islamicists” as an excuse to overthrow the government and institute new, draconian laws has been compared many times to the precepts of the Patriot Act, in both cases also the populace failed to react significantly. There is also an ever-present war in the background, censorship, and political witchhunts.
This book was eerie and disturbing in a manner that other dystopian novels such as “1984″ and “Brave New World” have not quite achieved, probably because of the narrator’s memories of life as it was before the eastern United States became the theocratic Republic of Gilead. I was never emotionally attached while reading this book, although I was often disgusted. Although I could simply not stop reading, it was always in a detached way. I think this was completely intended by Margaret Atwood based on the end of the book (read it if you want to know!) and the feeling of detachment that Offred seemed to have towards her current situation.
This was my first novel by Margaret Atwood and if it is any indication of her body of work (which it seems to be, based on the raves about her on LibraryThing), she is an author I will continue to read.
Buy this book on Amazon: The Handmaid’s Tale: A Novel
I’ve heard of this but never actually read a summary or review. I can now say, however, that I don’t think I would like this. Just hearing about how Offred has to live… I guess it’s just not my cup of tea. Glad you enjoyed it though
It is a fantastically written book, but I could definitely see the world she has created not being for everyone, it really is pretty disturbing.
It is brilliant in its disturbing quality, though, I think. And the rest of her stuff is excellent, too. And, if you like her, chances are you will like Iris Murdoch, as well, specifically “The Bell” if you haven’t read it. You should check that out, too.
I really liked that you could see the dystopian world forming, instead of being set in that world right off the bat. It was interesting seeing women go from being on equal footing with them, to losing all their power, then gaining a different kind of independence.
I am currently reading this book as part of banned books week, well I started it last week but was unable to finish it. I agree with a lot of what you were saying in this review of the book. I find this book very interesting and disturbing. The thought of this someday happening frightens me but I can also see how it might be possible in the future especially with the way the world is now.
[...] Girls by Margaret Atwood - I adored Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (my review) so I picked up this book of short stories. It seems like short stories would be good for the [...]
[...] My thoughts: I thought this was a brilliant book that achieved dystopian eeriness in a way not even 1984 managed. You can see my full review here. [...]
[...] this quarter is “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. I thought this book was fantastic when I read it a couple of years ago, and I can’t wait to get started reading it [...]
[...] Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter and Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale had a slightly futuristic baby, it would be When She Woke. Jordan makes it quite clear that this is [...]