Handmaid's Tale/Testaments - books or TV?

[GetUpAgain]

Advice please on the best order to read and watch...

I've just re read the Handmaid's Tale after many years. I watched series 1 ages ago and loved it, but gave up on series 2 when the first couple of episodes were so gory. Am going to try it again.

If you have read and seen both books and all 3 series, do you have a recommended order?

I know nothing about the plot of the Testaments or series 2 and 3 of the Handmaid's Tale so if you can advise but without spoilers please I'd be very grateful!

Is the Testaments not a back story so would be a prequel to The Handmaid's tale? The other series' of the Handmaid's Tale continues the story from what is in the book

Ah its not a prequel (just googled). It is not what is in series 2 or 3 either

The Testaments has some level of spoilers in it, so I would go for:
Series 2 7 3 and then The Testaments.

btw The Testaments is a much easier read than THT. It has been written for the TV audience I feel.

2 & 3, not 2 7 3!

I loved The Testaments. Think it was set about 15 years after the tv series but you got to find out how Lydia came to be an aunt. I read THMT about 25 years ago for A Level English and hated it but think it's cos I thought it was stupid and would never happen. Now I'm older I get it. Loved series 1 of the tv series. Series 2 & 3 not as good but still ok love it and can't wait for series 4

My advice would actually be not to read The Testaments at all - it was one of the most disappointing books I've ever read! - but if you are going to read it, do so after series 2 as I think that's as far as it 'spoils'

You’d probably be fine reading The Testaments before The Handmaids Tale but read Handmaids first. There’s a few call backs and, I’m sure, a reference to something in the show, that would go over your head otherwise. You could enjoy the testaments in its own but it’s so much better if you’ve read Handmaids Tale first.

In terms of the show, go back and watch it. It is not an easy program to watch but it’s still excellent viewing and the third season gets much more into the rebellion of the women in Gilliad and the efforts to get them out. I cried like a baby at the last episode of season 3 but it was also weirdly uplifting.

Much preferred the books to the TV series. In fact I’ve recorded the last series but not watched all of it.
I read Testaments a couple of weeks ago. It is really easy to read but I enjoyed it, though felt there could have been more information at the end.

The books are better. Series 1 of the TV show is ok but it all goes downhill in series 2. I gave up on s3 - it was frightful.

The Testaments isn’t as good as the first book, but it’s still worth a read.

Thank you all. I will watch the rest of the TV shows then and get Testaments from the library rather than paying for it if its a disappointment!

Series three is a disapppintment as it is all about the perfect insta pinterest shots. But if you have watched 1 and 2 you kind if carrying on half heartedly. (2 is so so too).

The Testament is another big disappointment.

THT book, then the TV series and then the Testammet book, I’d say.

I’m tempted to send you mine (and I never give books away) as I feel so meh about it. It was a rushed book, written whilst riding the wave of the TV series. It could have been great if it had taken a good few years to be written and a lot od blood and tears. Sorry Margaret.

I wholeheartedly agree with you @OnceUponACatThe Testaments was a rushed book, written whilst riding the wave of the TV series.
I felt it was written to make a lot of money for its publishers and from that, its author.
I never read THT but watched all 5 seasons on tv - my word they were a hard watch!!!
I am now watching Season 6 - I have just seen Episode 1.

The scary thing is how we are watching, in the news daily, a change in the US, making it a more authoritarian regime.
I never thought I’d see something like that in my lifetime.