Handmaid's tale - should I persevere?

[Dancergirl]

I'm not a huge reader and have resolved to read more books.

14 year old dd recommended this to me. I'm half way through and finding it a bit dull. And a bit creepy in places.

Shall I carry on?

If you're halfway through and still not grabbed, why continue? Did you watch the television adaptation? I read the novel many years ago and thought it was terrific; after seeing the TV serial (enthralled) I re-read it with great enjoyment; the adaptation actually enhanced my reading of the book. So if you haven't seen the serial, maybe watch it and then try the novel again? You probably know this but there are lots of terrible scenes.

I loved it! My husband read it to me. However, I think life is too short to spend reading books that don't grab you. Reading is for pleasure, so find something you enjoy!

It's a fantastic book and so,so well written but if it's not your cup of tea, why persevere? As Bloodybridget says, if you're not grabbed by half-way through, you're not going to be!

But genuinely have no idea how you can be finding it dull..On the other hand, as an English teacher, I am so pleased that your 14 yr old recommended it - it's great to hear of teens reading good and challenging literature.

I can understand maybe someone not liking it, but dull?? What kind of books do you find exciting then?

I think although you aren't enjoying it much it would be a good idea to persevere. I agree with pp and with your dd that it is brilliant. Of course it is creepy but as the author has said there's nothing in there that doesn't actually happen in real life somewhere or somewhen. Ofred's journey through being used towards freedom is more than just a story. There are some important issues about feminism and the nature of being a woman which the book might have caused your dd to think about and she may have some questions she wants to ask you or issues she wants to talk about but she needs you to have read the book before she can ask. Can you probe, without telling her you aren't that into it, to ask her more about her thoughts about the book?