A Handsmaid's Tale.....I just read this.and was blown away.

[Portofino]

But there are so many messages there and I need to discuass/know what to think aboout it all.....

But I've ordered one that sleeps through, SGM! It will also pop out painlessly when I cough, will never have a tantrum, and will learn how to bring me a snack by the time it's two.

[sticks head back in sand]

Thanks sethstark - it's nice to hear something other than 'you'll never read another book till the baby goes to uni'!

That's an interesting point carrots - I recommended The Handmaid's Tale to someone, and was quite surprised when they weren't very keen on it! I hadn't really considered that it might not be everyone's cup of tea.

I loved The Handmaid's Tale Serena - it was The Blind Assassin that took me a while to get into - just incase I was misunderstood.

I am in a book group where I live but I am wary of suggesting The Handmaid's Tale as it is quite disturbing imho and I am not sure what sort of group it is yet - wine and blether or robust discussion.

Ah sorry carrots - must read thread properly. I've come to the conclusion that maybe Margaret Atwood is a bit of an acquired taste. Like olives. Or blue cheese. She has a very distinctive style, I think. God, I do sound like her stalker, don't I?!

To demonstrate that I'm not just an Atwood groupie, and do in fact read other authors, I'm currently reading The Red Queen by Margaret Drabble. Not far into it but loving it so far.

The thing about her style is also that it changes with every book - along with the genre - so you never really know what you are going to get. Mind you, there is an underlying style that runs through them all too.
She is coming to do a reading in the city near where I live soon so I too will be stalking I suspect. I am a bit scared to go too. Sometimes those we admire are not "all that" in the flesh so maybe it is better to keep them at a distance!

I've actually seen her a couple of times at a book festival near me (which probably doesn't surprise you ) and she didn't disappoint me at all, so if you can I'd recommend going to the reading. She's very witty.

Ooh! I will have to get my stalker gear in readiness then

Another one here who read more when my babies were small than at any other time in my life. The endless endless hours breastfeeding were perfect for it. "Darling, I'd really love to cook dinner / peg out the washing / take the toddler to the park but unfortunately I am pinned to this comfy sofa feeding the baby. Pass me my book on your way past "

I love The Handmaid's Tale! Did it for A Level and have just finished an essay on it for university - and the fact that I still love it after all that is surely testament to its greatness.

I read somewhere that Moira is supposed to remind the reader of Moira from The Red Shoes who danced herself to death?