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Original poster

reading a handmaids tale

54 replies

southeastastra · 12/12/2010 20:40

blimey wtf is this about? it's crackers

OP posts:
RockinRobinBird · 13/12/2010 18:40

God I remember reading that and the Edible Woman for a level. It's a very creepy book.

mrsmillsfanclub · 13/12/2010 18:35

I studied it at college five years ago. I absoulutely loved it and I got an excellent mark for an essay I wrote on it [smug]

TrillianAstra · 13/12/2010 16:26

I remember thinking it was ridiculous - it was a while ago that I read it.

PressureDrop · 13/12/2010 16:24

I studied it for A level and hated it at the time. A fun read, it ain't.

But the messages within that book are incredibly powerful. As the years have gone by, I've re-read it several times. It's a bloody masterpiece.

tinselthechaffinch · 13/12/2010 16:23

'The Edible Woman' is also thought provoking, althouygh written in a much more straightforward style.

alemci · 13/12/2010 16:14

did she write a book called 'housekeeping' as well. remember reading that years' ago.

nitsparty · 13/12/2010 01:04

Atwood was very recently interviewed on Women's hour-podcast might still be available. my understanding is that everything that happens in this book has actually happened somewhere in history. nb it was written before the Iranian revolution. Women's lives changed dramatically after this in some ways not dissimilar to those Attwood describes.

Mercedes519 · 12/12/2010 21:29

I think I've only read this a couple of times but could tell you the whole story, it had that much impact on me.

I love Margaret Attwood for the things she leaves out so you reach an understanding slowly and much more powerfully for it. It really makes you think. Not always an easy read, both for dense words and subject matter but you get so much out of it.

BikeRunSki · 12/12/2010 21:26

Amazing book.

walkinginaWUKTERwonderland · 12/12/2010 21:25

The best bit is the epilogue, imo. Don't skip ahead you'll ruin it!

BertieBasset · 12/12/2010 21:25

Brilliant book, have read it many times since studying for a level. Thought film was okay, but I couldn't put the book down.

Dexterrocks · 12/12/2010 21:23

Cat's Eye is excellent too - would make interesting reading now I have a dd too.

SpringHeeledJack · 12/12/2010 21:10
Grin
lostinMattCardle · 12/12/2010 21:08

Brilliant book, got so involved in it I found it hard when I tore myself into the real world. Would love to chat but Take That have just come back on the x-factor Blush

mrspear · 12/12/2010 21:05

I remember reading that years ago ... i remember how they had to have sex Confused and the bit about childbirth. Oh and the dodgy doctor. Very scary stuff in so much as you can imagine it happening. I.E inferility is a woman's problem not a man's Angry

CybillLiberty · 12/12/2010 21:00

Read handmaids tale years ago but am just re reading Cats Eye which is brilliant

Dexterrocks · 12/12/2010 20:59

I read this book about 20 years ago and loved it. I was fairly young at the time and I think it helped to shape me a little bit. It made me think about my position in the world and what people wanted of me. I may have to reread just to remind myself.

Original poster
southeastastra · 12/12/2010 20:56

didn't realise that a film was made, will keep reading the book though - people wouldn't be able to keep that quiet is my thought so far

OP posts:
alemci · 12/12/2010 20:53

scary book, saw the film too. wanted to keep reading on.

PaxoIsEvil · 12/12/2010 20:52

What really got to me (and filled me with rage) was the way in which the women were broken down in to their components. They were less than human. The handmaids were only wombs, the wives were only wives, the econowives were only drudges. The utter hopelessness and total lack of power depressed the crap out of me, because it all seemed so feasible. When I learned of the Taliban and other oppressive regimes, it is this book I first thought of

MrsKitty · 12/12/2010 20:50

Studied it at school - Must have thought it was good as it's still on my bookshelf, and not at the charity shop. Perhaps I'll re-read sometime soon.

DasherandSmugly · 12/12/2010 20:50

Crackers but scarily plausible I thought when I read it in 1990.

nancydrewrockinaroundxmastree · 12/12/2010 20:49

Great book. I first read it for A level Eng lit but have read it a couple of times since.

One if Atwood's more readable books.

ValiumShimmer · 12/12/2010 20:47

i read that, shortly after i'd read Aldous Huxley's brave new world. I think the handmaid's tale is even more Confused though.

although....... women in india are renting out their wombs aren't they.

festivefriedawhingesagain · 12/12/2010 20:47

I studied it at school but still enjoyed it. Not many books I still liked after doing them for school - is not an easy light read but fabulous story.

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