The Handmaids tale

[DumbledoresArmy]

Anyone else planning on watching this at 9pm on channel 4?

It's a long way back I know, but the question about c sections... Women can have many more vaginal deliveries than c sections. Is three considered the limit at the moment?

Thank you redrose

thankyou redrose...is anyone else a bit about a second series/sequel....

the story even with its ambiguous ending is a whole story...with and ending as the epilogue demonstrates...i guess a second series will fill in between the ending and the epilogue but i fear it will get a bit silly and over dramatic....

I absolutely love this adaptation (although I haven't read the book). I especially love the soundtrack. The music is very well chosen.

There is to be a second series? That was part of the reason for my question, but I'd also like to read the book.

Is it too late to read the book. I am watching this whilst ironing and loving it. I find it hard to find books that I enjoy, but think this could be one of them.

Just placemarking to read the chat really, but with regards to pp point about c sections. In the book an ambulance and male doctors are in the drive ready to intervene if required. The Aunts attending the birth are trained as midwives. So much like in the UK (don't know about US) where a vaginal birth is assumed as default due to cost etc and only one or two midwives present, but further medical assistance readily available.

yes HULA the production company/tv channel have already commisioned second series and apparently MA has hinted might write or be writing a sequel

A fertile woman could have have as many as fifteen or so pregnancies, if delivered normally. I'd find that so grim.

Clam, It certainly isn't too late to read the book. It is 324 pages in length, and runs to 47 chapters. There are stil a lot of episodes to go in the tv adaptation, so go for it.

It's never too late to read the book - well worth it, if memory serves.

I've started Alias Grace - it is grim, but great writing.

I completely missed the fact that June and Luke were being punished having read the book lots of times 😳

I'm not convinced that being a Handmaiden was a punishment tbh. Fertile women are considered godly, in a way - but they had unfortunately engaged in earthly transgressions. My interpretation of it was that being a Handmaiden for the higher echelons of Gods servants on earth was considered a route to salvation.

That's why the lesbian Handmaiden was told you are fertile so we have no choice, your 'punishment' is salvation. If she hadn't been so untouchable they would have far preferred to hang her too. I realise FGM is awful but they probably considered it as them helping her achieve her godly purpose rather than the punishment we would consider it to be.

In fact I do wonder if what prompted Luke to try and escape was the realisation that although his wife was a chattel now, he was almost certainly facing death. There was no need for him. Instead of trying to escape because he loved her and wanted a better life for her, he left it until he realised that he was actually in danger. By which time it was too late of course.

Salvation? Sorry her punishment was redemption

In fact I do wonder if what prompted Luke to try and escape was the realisation that although his wife was a chattel now, he was almost certainly facing death. There was no need for him. Instead of trying to escape because he loved her and wanted a better life for her, he left it until he realised that he was actually in danger. By which time it was too late of course.

That's an interesting take on things. I like how this discussion is throwing up different perspectives.

Can I just ask - what do you think is the right age to let your dd watch this?

15 years + I think. The themes in it are quite adult and I don't think they would fully understand any younger than that.

So.. If this event happened in our World what role do you think you would be given.

I'd probably be a handmaiden, 30, fertile but a single parent.

My daughter is 13 and a half but she's very mature and intellectual for her age. I'm not sure I would want her to see episode 3 though.

I definitely wouldn't want my dd (almost 14) watching this. Over 16 I would say, but still quite tough viewing.

I think there is a reason it's an A level text and to watch it too young and not understand it properly would be a waste. No matter how mature a 13 year old is I cant imagine any of the year 8/9s I work with really 'getting' it. They don't have enough life experiences to draw upon as a reference point.

I tried not to engage much with the last episode. I actually think the book is a lot less upsetting even though the themes are still gritty

PrincessHairyMcClary I'd be sent to deal with the toxic waste. 45 so too old to be a hand maiden and can't cook to save my life so couldn't be a Martha. Unless I have a hidden sadistic streak so I suppose I could be an Aunt 😖

I can cook, so Martha I guess.

43 year old lesbian so I'd probably be heading for the toxic waste too.