The Testaments - Margaret Atwood (Chapters 1 & 2 NO SPOILERS)

[Mackerz]

For clarity, this thread is for those who have read Statue and Precious Flower, so the first 28 pages of the hard copy. I’m just starting now, so will be back later on...

We were aiming for a thread per chapter but chapter 1 is only 2 pages long.

No spoilers from anywhere further ahead in the book please but happy for links to be made to both the original book, film and all 3 series of the TV show.

Enjoy!

[StripyTShirt]

Going to start tonight. I have been lurking on the other threads and finished THT book last night. Just got to get DC to bed and will curl up with my Kindle and a cuppa.

[Mackerz]

Yep - I sneakily read the first few pages earlier but won’t be able to start chapter 2 until later. I’ve bought myself a magnum as a treat too.

[CaptainMyCaptain]

Thank you I'll be back when I start reading.

[StripyTShirt]

Oh I started my diet yesterday so no ice cream for me

[MotherOfSoupDragons]

Can't wait to join you.

[Mackerz]

It’s descriptive scene setting. I don’t want to rush it because it’s so beautifully written, particularly Precious Flower.

We’re seeing detail, that we haven’t seen before, on how the Aunts and Commanders daughters lives - now that it’s no longer from June’s perspective.

[Mackerz]

There’s definitely some rivalry between the classes emerging too - with the Martha’s jibing of Agnes.

[Notmyideamovingon]

I just couldn't savour it and just finished might read it again

[Mackerz]

No spoilers, but an interesting article.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/sep/11/margaret-atwood-feminist-the-testaments?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

[Mackerz]

@Notmyideamovingon

It was very tempting to stay up late and finish it but I was too shattered from work.

Feel free to comment anyway (as long as there are no spoilers). I think it’s probably worth a 2nd read - Atwood is so detailed that I’ll probably miss loads in the 1st read!

[OriginofSpecies]

Thank you for starting this thread @Mackerz

I have read the first two chapters. I love the "Already I am petrified" sentence from Aunt Lydia. The two senses so succinctly put. She is frightened and has been set in stone.

Lovely descriptions of how the commander's daughter lives and, as a previous poster mentioned, the sense of everyone being kept in their place.

Nice bit of feistiness coming through from this narrator

[Mackerz]

www.theguardian.com/books/2019/sep/10/more-handmaids-tale-sequels-never-say-never-says-margaret-atwood?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

There may be more books to come!