Reviews with content warning for Forced institutionalization - Der Report der Magd: Roman

Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Der Report der Magd: Roman by Margaret Atwood

135 reviews

cumminsn's review against another edition

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
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 made me uncomfortable, which is obviously the point. Most disturbing is just how close society has managed to get to something akin to what is going on here as more and more rights are stripped from women. This book really does act as a warning for what could happen, and the notion makes me feel ill.

Narratively, it was challenging at times to know what time period we were in, past or present, but this may have been further accentuated by the fact that was listening to the audio book so there were no obvious page breaks or any other such indicators that a change in time or place was happening. Otherwise, the story was chilling, and the end leaves us wondering what became of Offred.

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sarahbroccoli's review against another edition

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dark reflective sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.0

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sirch's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious slow-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

3.5

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katie0528's review against another edition

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dark sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

I've never actually picked up this book until now, despite being an advid watcher of the TV show. The book follows "Offred" as she serves as a "Handmaid" in an alternate timeline. While some aspects of the book still really hit home in 2024, I think I was just expecting more. Offred's knowledge of the world around her is very limited, at least that she is willing to share in the story, and while that makes sense, I just wish we could see more of the world and the resistance or lack thereof. The fall of America is only briefly alluded to despite Offred living through it, and the epilogue set in the far future with mock historians discussing the book offers little additional clarity to the settings or characters.

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sophie42's review against another edition

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dark reflective 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

4.5

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anxieteaandbiscuits12's review against another edition

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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? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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kerrence30's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Outstanding concept, character development & writing style. Cannot rate this higher. Terrifying world to think of; the reflection on a real feared future. One of the few books that you’ll think about time and time again after finishing.

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