Reviews tagging 'Classism'

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

148 reviews

rhikat's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Slavery, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Pregnancy, and Classism

Moderate: Death, Infertility, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Kidnapping, Abortion, Murder, and War

rotten207's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Classism

Moderate: Miscarriage and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Rape and Suicide attempt

caroline_renee's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, and Classism

Moderate: Infertility, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Police brutality, Antisemitism, and Alcohol

Minor: Animal death, Body shaming, Drug use, Miscarriage, Excrement, Vomit, Abortion, Lesbophobia, War, and Pandemic/Epidemic

evabrimeyer's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Hate crime, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Grief, and Deportation

Minor: Classism

mary_berry_'s review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This book was a hard read for 2025 and while it is scary, it forced me to take a look and appreciate the little things in life, because you never know if it will all get taken away. I also ended up reading the majority of it on International Women’s Day which is kind of an interesting coincidence. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism

Moderate: Confinement, Death, and Abortion

cptnmarv41's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense fast-paced

5.0

What an incredible book. I imagine 40 years ago this was considered a bit of fun, or a warning, or a "this is too crazy to ever be real" type of book. Certainly in the present it reads in a much different way. Not to say that we're necessarily on the cusp of this becoming reality, but close enough where you can no longer say it isn't all entirely plausible. Certainly, at the very least, women's rights are hugely under attack by men in governmental power. And certainly our country is losing its Democracy day by day. Would anyone really be shocked if Trump suspends the Constitution during his term? Or try to remain in power when his 4 years are up? I don't think we have the luxury any longer of considering these items wild ideas. Any way, obviously this book was far ahead of its time. It's utterly brilliant. Dark and scary in all the right ways. Giving just enough of a glimpse of how the society crumbled and how alarmingly fast it occurred. I think that's the part that is resonating the most with people in early 2025. How fast it can all be torn down. It's happening right before our eyes. My favorite part of the book was definitely the secret club b/c not only did it give this hopeless society construct some glimpses of the past and the freedoms they used to have but it also gave another layer to these monstrous people. I also really love that at first we thought Ofglen was probably a stickler but we start to learn faster and faster that she's really a radical. And of course, as with any story of this nature, there are religious undertones on the outskirts everywhere. The weirdest part by far has to be the threesome-but-not that takes place during the Ceremony. How creepy. And then there's the obscure open ended ending - what happened to Offred? It's up to you to decide. Love that every time. I'm certain MUCH can, has been, and will continue to be said about this book (and I guess I need to go watch the tv show now too) in studies and reflection and in teachings but it really is tremendous in so many ways. Glad I finally picked it up. It was one of those books I wanted to read, but didn't. I think I picked the right time. Highly recommend. And, of course, it has also made many banned lists. A great reason to read it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Genocide, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Religious bigotry, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Classism

greendog95's review against another edition

challenging dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Misogyny, Rape, Slavery, Suicide, Forced institutionalization, Murder, Pregnancy, and Classism

Moderate: Animal cruelty and Religious bigotry

Minor: Miscarriage, Racism, Police brutality, Antisemitism, and Abortion

bastibooks's review against another edition

dark reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, War, and Classism

lkmreads's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

I wasn't overly fond of the disjointed storytelling and the general way it was written-even though it was well written. The general style was just not my thing. However... the story itself was great, so I couod easily overlook the style issue.
It was gripoing from start to end and kept me wanting to know more.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Classism

linzee_carter's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Pregnancy, and Classism

Moderate: Death, Genocide, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Slavery, Suicide, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, and Colonisation

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Murder