sarahcoller's review against another edition
2.0
Taking the book as purely a fictional story with absolutely no political message whatsoever, I'd say it's an amazingly intriguing and original idea. I like to think that Offred's life turned out wonderful in the end with all questions answered and all reconciliations made. As a mature adult, I can sympathize with her longings for her husband and child, her desires and confusion toward the Commander and Nick, and her interactions with the other women in her life. Had I finished this as a 16-year-old kid in high school (see previous JE), I would have been lost, confused and embarrassed to read and discuss this with a group of my peers.
Taking the story from a political point of view, I think it's ridiculously absurd, over-the-top and a joke to even the most extreme feminist. The society described here is horrendous and disgusting in all ways toward women, for sure. However, the commentary on the back ends with a phrase that I find 100% false and ridiculous propaganda: "a chilling portrait of a future that may not be so very far away." Oh, please.
In my opinion, women in America are in absolutely no danger of losing anything but their own willingly-sacrificed femininity. Our country is one that has pushed equal rights for women so far that we've emasculated our men to the point of making them the same simpering, cowering, groveling, subservient creatures that we women supposedly were before our great "revolution". Someone in the book: the Commander, I think, talked about how men had gotten to the point where there was no more mystery in women---men weren't even interested in marriage anymore---there was nothing left to excite the imagination. Yes, that is exactly where we are right now---but it's not going to result in men subjugating women "again". We've already seen the result of men having nothing to work for, to provide for, in our lazy, unmotivated and unfit young men who stay home and play video games all day while their girlfriends work their butts off to support them. (Not knocking video games---am knocking escape from reality.)
As for my previous comment about this being assigned reading in high school: I am reminded about a news article I read a couple days ago about a high school English teacher who was fired for comments she made on her personal blog about her students and coworkers. How can teachers complain about the lack of morals and integrity in our youth when they're indoctrinating them in things that are way too mature for them to handle? Please, some future reader, explain to me how an impressionable 16-year-old girl, who is still trying to find the balance between little girl and womanhood, would possibly blossom and grow in a mature and responsible way by studying this book in a classroom filled with other male and female minds just as immature as hers?
All that said, I recommend that you read the book! It's fast-paced, heartbreaking, original... Besides, I'm dying to hear what others think of it!
Taking the story from a political point of view, I think it's ridiculously absurd, over-the-top and a joke to even the most extreme feminist. The society described here is horrendous and disgusting in all ways toward women, for sure. However, the commentary on the back ends with a phrase that I find 100% false and ridiculous propaganda: "a chilling portrait of a future that may not be so very far away." Oh, please.
In my opinion, women in America are in absolutely no danger of losing anything but their own willingly-sacrificed femininity. Our country is one that has pushed equal rights for women so far that we've emasculated our men to the point of making them the same simpering, cowering, groveling, subservient creatures that we women supposedly were before our great "revolution". Someone in the book: the Commander, I think, talked about how men had gotten to the point where there was no more mystery in women---men weren't even interested in marriage anymore---there was nothing left to excite the imagination. Yes, that is exactly where we are right now---but it's not going to result in men subjugating women "again". We've already seen the result of men having nothing to work for, to provide for, in our lazy, unmotivated and unfit young men who stay home and play video games all day while their girlfriends work their butts off to support them. (Not knocking video games---am knocking escape from reality.)
As for my previous comment about this being assigned reading in high school: I am reminded about a news article I read a couple days ago about a high school English teacher who was fired for comments she made on her personal blog about her students and coworkers. How can teachers complain about the lack of morals and integrity in our youth when they're indoctrinating them in things that are way too mature for them to handle? Please, some future reader, explain to me how an impressionable 16-year-old girl, who is still trying to find the balance between little girl and womanhood, would possibly blossom and grow in a mature and responsible way by studying this book in a classroom filled with other male and female minds just as immature as hers?
All that said, I recommend that you read the book! It's fast-paced, heartbreaking, original... Besides, I'm dying to hear what others think of it!
quigleybeau's review against another edition
4.0
“To him I’m no longer merely a usable body. To him I’m not just a boat with no cargo, a chalice with no wine in it, and oven- to be crude- minus the bun. To him I am not merely empty.”
lbomba's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
flipsahoy's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
mrsmangoa's review against another edition
4.0
Margaret you absolute genius you! I absolutely enjoyed reading the book. I thumbed a lot of pages and I had a few issues with some bits but all in all a really interesting read.
I know it's been a controversial feminist agenda/manifesto kind of controversial book and I am not a feminist to comment on this.
There are definitely some places that made me think hard about the Gilead world vs now and find a mental comparison, and there were areas I definitely disagreed with but that in essence is what an engaging read is meant to do.
I know it's been a controversial feminist agenda/manifesto kind of controversial book and I am not a feminist to comment on this.
There are definitely some places that made me think hard about the Gilead world vs now and find a mental comparison, and there were areas I definitely disagreed with but that in essence is what an engaging read is meant to do.
luckycrustacean's review against another edition
5.0
This book deserves all of the hype that it has. I thought the writing was fantastic and the author knew exactly when to reveal details about certain characters or plot points. The world being described makes so much sense and you don't have to suspend any disbelief to understand how this dystopian society came about. It's an excellent piece of feminist literature.
brianna_4pawsandabook's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars rounded up!
I will say, I enjoyed the Hulu series more than the book. I feel like the show took this foundation that the book gave us and expanded on it. I think the show gave me a basis for some of the other characters and gave them a little depth that the book just didn't explain. The world building was amazing but I really want a prequel. I want to know what led up to these laws that are in place.
I will say, I enjoyed the Hulu series more than the book. I feel like the show took this foundation that the book gave us and expanded on it. I think the show gave me a basis for some of the other characters and gave them a little depth that the book just didn't explain. The world building was amazing but I really want a prequel. I want to know what led up to these laws that are in place.
lucysmom828's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliantly written, and terrifying how easy it is to imagine this world as a possible future. She weaves together the world we know and a new reality that the main character faces, showing how a society can transition from one to the next as the 'need' to do so arises. Highly recommend, but also be aware that it mirrors a lot of what we are facing in our current society. Be prepared to be irate about what some of the characters experience.
yrc's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of the most diffecult books I've ever read in terms of the tone and the subject. It takes a while to get into Offred's naration and identify with her. However, it's remarkable that this book was written in the 80's and is still extremely relevant today. I think Atwood's idea is a deeply frightening yet emotionally moving one. A good book is one that makes you think.
All in all despite the fragmented writing and slow pace I thought the book deserved its praises and impacted my perception of human nature.
All in all despite the fragmented writing and slow pace I thought the book deserved its praises and impacted my perception of human nature.