Any one fancy a discussion thread for the handmaid's tale?

[Oldwestaction]

Well, after watching the first two episodes on catch up, I downloaded the book on Monday and finished it yesterday. I just could not put it down!
I've read the thread which is following the tv series but don't want to add on there and spoil for those who haven't read the book.
I had lots of questions whizzing round my head last night which I have now forgotten! Sure they'll come back to me though!
Interested to hear other's thoughts on the book and also how they feel the show compares?

Somewhat that is what I thought. If failing fertility is the main problem for the society then giving fertile women to the middle aged,most likely infertile commanders is not optimal - surely the handmaid's getting pregnant using viable sperm would be optimal and the babies could then given to the Commanders. However, I suppose they want blood related babies from the "elite" minds to inherit the top positions creating dynasties for the future.Only having sex with the handmaids after the ceremony monthly also limits the chances of a pregnancy.

I suppose Gilead has tried to eschew as much modern science as possible - the purging of doctors etc. and aims to get back to "basics".

No such thing as a sterile man, only women who are fruitful and those who are barren.

The triumph of ideology over practicality.

Years since I read the book - am marking this thread to enjoy later.

I've just finished it and was also a little disappointed at the ambiguous ending. Was Nick to be trusted?
I've also been following the 📺 series and wonder how they'll pad it all out since my coup is only 300 pages or so long.

I read it recently after watching the first episodes of the TV series. (There's also a thread in Telly Addicts about the adaptation).
I think the TV adaptation has fleshed out the story and upped the shock factor even more (there's no eye or clitoris removal in the book for example).

I suppose the book doesn't have a neat and tidy ending in which Offred is reunited with her family and witnesses the downfall of Gilead. But interesting to see future academics looking back on the regime.

Yes I agree Ghosts the TV series does really flesh out the book - there is more shock and overt horror though. I like the sense of oppression, menace and helplessness in the book. In the TV series there is more outright rebellion against the regime.

In the book it is made clear by Serena a number of times that Offred is in a really bad position - you get 3 placements and then if no baby -the colonies or worse and even if you do get pregnant the likelihood is miscarriage, still birth or severe mental and physical disability (a "shredder" - so they kill such babies?) - this is not made so clear in the TV series.

There is going to be a second TV series so they will have to take the plot beyond the book's content

I read it years ago and still remember the effect it had on me. I was driving through France with my then boyfriend and had a sudden panic that someone would catch us or that my bank card wouldn't work or something. It really affected my emotions and stayed with me. I'm not sure I could read it again.

The way they seized control of women's finances and employment was terrifying in how simple and plausible it could be. More so today than at the point it was written!

I did dystopias for A-Level too including THT!

I re-read it last week. I found it fascinating reading it again at nearly 40 with two DC having previously read it at 17. At 17 I thought I would have found a way to escape or kill myself (like the first Offred I guess) but I now know I'd be more compliant to ensure I didn't place my children at risk. The removal of Offred's daughter has had a far more profound impact on me this time as I understand what that truly means for her.

Interestingly I've found myself thinking about Serena Joy and the impact childlessness might have had in shaping her. I don't think I gave Serena a second thought at 17 other than to think her a massive bitch!

I don't think it's a text I really understood until now. I think I was too black and white as a teenager. It takes maturity to learn characters can't be divided into good and bad and are shaped by their experiences.

whever my credit/debit card is rejected I think "it's happening" and wonder if the people around me would get the reference....

I have just binge read it in two days and I loved it. I really don't think I will be able to watch the TV series now though. I know I would find the way they have "fleshed out" the story for TV really jarring and irritating. And it also puts me off it's that others have said the TV adaptation has upped the shock factor which I don't feel was needed at all. The book was horriffic, it doesn't need added clitoris removal or whatever and to me feels like those bits were added to suck in the Jeremy Kyle-warching demographic.

DD is watching the TV series in school at the moment and when we spoke about it the other night one of the things she said was "Serena Joy is nothing like she is in the book, they have made her really young and pretty" and I thought of course they have. Ooooh the irony!

Marking my place here as I've just started the book.

I'll be back as soon as I've finished

Slightly confused about the bit in the epilogue when it mentions that the character Serena Joy was a malicious invention..?

Think it's because she was neither serenenorjoyful. The suggestion being all names are pseudonyms - except the !commander

Though I haveto confess that I atfirst thought it was about the name Pam. Wondered why Pam was such a bad name £It was malicious to saysomeone was call anyone that!!!

Ok thanks 😎