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The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood. Come and discuss this modern classic on Feb 23rd.

32 replies

mmack · 01/02/2015 13:10

I know that a lot of the regular posters here in Adult Fiction really love this book. I've been meaning to read it for years and it's probably the modern classic that I'm most excited about. Is anyone else going to read it for the first time this month?

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crapfatbanana · 26/02/2015 12:36

I first read this in 1995 when studying it for A level. It was my introduction the Atwood and I thought it was fantastic. My A level teacher used to wax lyrical about her.

I only have vague memories of the book now and of umpteen essays about Gileadean society, but some of the images are still vivid in my mind: the pats of butter Offred hides and uses to moisturise her skin, the words carved into the wardrobe: 'Nolites te bastardes caborum dorum (that might be wrong), the scene when Offred is lying between the Commander's wife's legs being fucked (I was shocked and embarrassed when the teacher read it aloud,) and the gruesome and sinister hanging scene with the blood stains on the bagged heads.

Having read the thread, I really want to read the book again. I think I will probably see it afresh.

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mmack · 25/02/2015 23:32

Another thing that struck me about that interview is that MA says she did not include in the book anything that human beings had not already done in some other place or time. I thought the saddest parts of The Handmaid's Tale is that Offred lost her little girl and had no hope of getting her back. It's heart-breaking to think that that actually happened to thousands of Irish unmarried mothers only 50 or 60 years ago.

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Original poster
mmack · 25/02/2015 22:16

The Margaret Atwood link was very interesting, Tavker. I lived in the US for a few years and was really surprised by how intertwined politics and religion were over there. A Baptist church near where I lived held an all night prayer vigil for George W. Bush the night before the state's Republican primary. The Tea Party would probably approve of some aspects of life in Gilead.

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Takver · 25/02/2015 14:06

Just found this piece by Margaret Atwood writing about the book, which I'd not seen before.

Takver · 25/02/2015 13:40

"When I first read it I didn't find the premise very believable - me and my feminist friends were changing the world! "

That's interesting, Cooroo. I think when I first read it in 1985, when it came out, it felt very possible actually in the United States. Partly because of Reagan, the reaction against 70s feminism, the strength of the religious right - but also the nuclear threat, and the idea of Gilead as a post-nuclear war society.

Whereas now, I guess I'm much more aware of the oppression of women in Afghanistan, Saudi that is going on now, the changes in women's position in Syria, etc which gives the book a rather different set of overtones.

Has anyone else also read Native Tongue and the sequels by Suzette Haden Elgin, which is another US set anti-feminist future dystopia?

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mmack · 23/02/2015 23:20

I agree that the premise is easier to believe now than it would have been in the 80s. I read somewhere recently that there are more peopled aged 60 or over in the US today than there are children under 15. If that trend continues it's not hard to imagine that governments will start to get interested in fertility in some kind of official capacity. Maybe some countries will eventually have some kind of 2 child policy for all couples. It's a scary thought.

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Cooroo · 23/02/2015 23:04

Can I join in? I recently picked this book for my book group as I wanted to re-read after 30 years(!). I was afraid it might have dated, but I found it as fresh and scary as before. The historical notes I could have done without, though. I sort of see why they were there - giving Gilead a historical perspective - but also there was too much Atwood sending up academics. I think I'd have been quite happy if it had ended with Offred being led out of the house to an unknown fate.

When I first read it I didn't find the premise very believable - me and my feminist friends were changing the world! Now I feel less optimistic and wonder if the future could hold anything like this - as the present does for many women in the world.

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mmack · 23/02/2015 22:53

Did you like the Historical Notes? I'm glad we found out that Nick helped her. I would have loved to have a map of Gilead. They talk about fighting the Baptists and Texas is a republic so obviously the South wasn't part of it.

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YonicScrewdriver · 23/02/2015 22:32

Yes, I agree re power abuse

Original poster
mmack · 23/02/2015 22:02

I agree about the bank accounts. We never really see cash any more. If a group could get control of a bank's computer we would be in chaos in a few hours.

We see the Commander through Offred's eyes and he makes things a bit less boring for her so she has mixed feelings about him. But they both know that if Serena Joy finds out there won't be any consequences for him. He is totally abusing his power.

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littlejessie · 23/02/2015 21:55

SubjugatING! Bloody autocorrect.

littlejessie · 23/02/2015 21:54

*subjugation, rather.

littlejessie · 23/02/2015 21:53

But he was also portrayed as weak and a bit pathetic- not revelling in power but undermining the authority of the state in terms of his pursuit of the things that evoked nostalgia in him (which culminated in the visit to the seedy nightclub but which started with board games).

To me, the most frightening thing about the book was the power and influence of the state, the invisible arbiters and the compliance of the people, including those the new system was subjugation.

BreacaBoudica · 23/02/2015 21:52

I love the flashbacks that explain how it all happened... so menacing, esp about the bank accounts. Makes me think of Afghanistan and what it was like pre and post revolution for women...

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mmack · 23/02/2015 21:45

I thought the Commander represented all that was bad about Gilead. He had all the power. He had a wife, handmaid and two Marthas but it still wasn't enough. He still needed Offred to look up to him and like him. And then he put her in danger by taking her out at night. And something similar had happened with the previous handmaid. He was a total moral coward.

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littlejessie · 23/02/2015 21:24

Another one booking a space.

I finished this book about 3 weeks ago and really enjoyed it.

Original poster
mmack · 23/02/2015 21:21

There is so much in this book that I don't know where to start. I suppose the most striking thing about it is that it was written 30 years ago as speculative fiction but she was right about the rise of religious societies where veiled women are not valued or educated.

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Original poster
mmack · 23/02/2015 12:03

This was a fantastic book. The only problem might be that there is just so much in it to discuss. I wish I had studied it at school.

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Original poster
mmack · 18/02/2015 14:57

I'm just bumping the thread. I have read about 90 pages so and it's very, very good. It almost reads like a mystery. I can't wait to find out how she got from her previous life with Luke to where she is now.

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topmammy · 10/02/2015 00:24

I studied this book at A Level and was just talking about it with my DH recently funnily enough. Don't have time for a re-read but marking my place for what will be am interesting discussion!

Hamiltoes · 07/02/2015 23:27

I've just downloaded to start reading. I remember my english teacher in high school recommending it after I did my standard grade essay on "The Other Boelyn Girl" ha ha ha! Grin

Never got round to it, she was an excellent teacher though so going to make a nice cuppa and settle down in bed with it tonight.

BestIsWest · 06/02/2015 22:49

Read it last year. Mixed feelings so will be interested in others views.

BrilliantineMortality · 06/02/2015 18:23

I studied The Handmaid's Tale many years ago for A Level. I remember reading ahead than what was required for each lesson as I was so gripped by it. Still got my annotated copy on my shelf.

I've got so many other books to read, so not sure if I'll manage a re-read, but looking forward to hearing what others think.

gymboywalton · 06/02/2015 17:45

This is one of my all time favourite books ever ever ever. It's fabulous and terrifying and eloquent.
I am rereading it again at the moment fir about the hundredth time.

I'd like to discuss it!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 06/02/2015 17:02

I like it. Have been meaning to re-read it actually, but have fallen out with Atwood a bit in recent years.

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