The Handmaid's Tale

[IBelieveTheEarthIsFlat]

Have seen it mentioned quite a bit on the Feminist threads. Anyone read and would you recommend? I don't tend to read much fiction so only really want to tackle it if it's unputdownable. Ta

[CMOTDibbler]

I'd recommend it, but it's hard to know if I'd describe it as unputdownable though. Disturbing, thought provoking - absolutely.

[Needanewhome]

Brilliant

[FlamingoFling]

Great book - agree not necessarily "unputdownable" but there is certainly tension and a sense of suspense. It's very thought provoking.

[RalphSteadmansEye]

Yes, absolutely! It's a gripping story but also fascinating in its themes: religion, gender politics, language and power, class...

Do give it a go.

[IfTheCapFitsWearIt]

I've only seen a tv/film thing many years ago. I would recommend it on that.
In fact I might read the book myself now. I was probably late teens early 20s when i saw it. I probably missed loads of things that will stand out like a saw thumb to me now.

[Becles]

It's an amazing book

[TrionicLettuce]

It's one of my favourite books, I love it and did find it impossible to put down the first time I read it. I still re-read it (and listen to the audiobook) on a regular basis.

Definitely give it a try!!

[willconcern]

It haunts me.

[IBelieveTheEarthIsFlat]

Oh thank you. Will order it now

[FixItUpChappie]

One of my favourite books of all time

[OurBlanche]

Oooh! I wonder why I have never read it?

I have quite a few Atwood's and love them all. I like messing with my sense of time/reality by reading one Atwood followed by and Amy Tan.

Mmm! I can feel a book purchase or two coming on.

[Madbengalmum]

Aaah yes, i remember reading it a long time ago at ALevel and really being creeped out by it. Great book.

[RalphSteadmansEye]

You won't believe just how prescient Atwood was when she wrote it. Scary stuff.

[2legit2knit]

It was 'unputdownable' for me. I loved it.

[sycamore54321]

If you like audiobooks, there is a version narrated by Clare Danes who is an excellent reader. I highly recommend it. Like others, not unputdownable but a good thought-provoking piece of literature, all the more remarkable when you consider how old it now is and how relevant the themes still are.

[Ohlalala]

I personally don't think it isn't one of Atwood's best books but it looks like everyone would disagree with me! (Still think it is good but some of her other books are even better)

[Ohlalala]

• don't think it is

[IBelieveTheEarthIsFlat]

Audiobooks is a fantastic idea thanks

[FixItUpChappie]

if you love it and become a fan of Atwood - don't miss out on Alias Grace which is also phenomenal IMO

[elephantoverthehill]

An excellent book well worth reading. It's not unputdownable but more I have to stop reading to think about that.

[Sadik]

Brilliant book - I don't actually like much else of Atwood's stuff though, other than The Edible Woman.

[MsAmerica]

One of my half-dozen favorite books!

[Alisvolatpropiis]

It is fantastic, very thought provoking. Still read my annotated copy from my A level days, almost a decade on.

[EBearhug]

You won't believe just how prescient Atwood was when she wrote it. Scary stuff.

Hasn't she said there's nothing in it which hasn't happened somewhere in the world at some point?

[motherducker]

My favourite.