Do you need to read The Handmaids Tale before reading The Testaments?

[EmmaGrundyForPM]

DH's book club have chosen The Testaments as their next book. Dh hasn't read The Handmaids Tale, nor have most of the book group. I have read THT but not the Testaments, but my understanding is that it's a sequel. I do know that some sequels also work as standalone books, but is this the case here? Dh doesnt have time to read both. I've suggested he goes back to the group and suggest they choose THT as the next book instead but he doesnt think that's necessary.
Any advice from someone who has read both?

It's certainly going to help if you've read The Handmaid's Tale first, to understand and get the most from The Testaments. I think you'd miss the back story of the characters otherwise. It might not make complete sense imo.

I don't think it would make much sense as a stand-alone book, I think you would need to read THT first.

It would be a bit confusing to try to read it as a stand-alone book, I think. Plus THT is much better, so if they're only going to read one they should go for that!

They ought to read The Handmaid's Tale instead - it's much better than The Testaments IMHO.

The Testaments could stand alone, but it's just not as interesting unfortunately.

Yes, Handmaid’s Tale should be read first and is much better anyway!

The Testaments is an absolutely terrible book. Reading it almost destroyed THT for me. Neither is representative of Atwood's best work

The Testaments is written as journals. I think you would really need to read THT as it provides the context.

Thanks everyone. I keep meaning to read The Testaments but haven't yet got round to it. I'll let dh know

The Testaments felt like a sequel to the TV series rather than a logical follow-on from THT.

I was disappointed to say the least.

I agree that The Testaments felt like a sequel to the TV series not the novel THT. Definitely read THT first. It's a very good book.