cami19's review
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
fedak's review against another edition
3.0
Fan service novel after people pestered Atwood for 30 years about what happened after the Handmaid's Tale. Quite good for about the first 3/4 with a couple big reveals (one of which I saw coming a mile away, one I didn't)
In the last part, Atwood clearly wanted to bring two of the protagonists together and clearly couldn't think of a way to do it. So we ended up with a nonsensical plot sequence for the latter third.
It was also disappointing that Atwood basically added nothing to Gilead that wasn't in the first novel- and I was hoping to see more about how the US devolved to the point where the Gilead revolution was possible.
In the last part, Atwood clearly wanted to bring two of the protagonists together and clearly couldn't think of a way to do it. So we ended up with a nonsensical plot sequence for the latter third.
It was also disappointing that Atwood basically added nothing to Gilead that wasn't in the first novel- and I was hoping to see more about how the US devolved to the point where the Gilead revolution was possible.
raloveridge's review against another edition
5.0
Okay, so. The bloom has been off the rose for me re: Margaret Atwood for the last few years. She signed that ridiculous open letter against "cancel culture" or whatever and she defended that creep University of British Columbia professor. Just some real icky business that feels like a big name feminist pulling up the ladder behind her, you know?
Not only that, but the books: the recent books haven't been my favorite. I've tried to keep up with her publications since I took a whole seminar class on her in college; I have loved her work, so much, and it's hard to tell whether the books are worse these days or whether I'll just never really feel the same about literature as I did while sitting around a table of brilliant classmates, passing hours and hours talking about stories. Hag-seed was okay, but felt smug; I know I read Stone Mattress (I can see I did…in 2016, apparently!), but I can’t recall a single thing about it. Compare that to Cat’s Eye, which I haven’t read since 2006, but remember in great detail (particularly the scene in which the protagonist peels skin off of her feet, eek).
But this book. I loved this book. I put off reading it for a couple of years because I really, really didn’t want some kind of self-important, fan-servicey, TV-show tie-in sequel to a book that is so precious to me, so genuinely ground-breaking and good. And this felt like a really worthy sequel that deepened the universe. I may have some quibbles that are too spoilery to mention, but overall, I just adored this.
Not only that, but the books: the recent books haven't been my favorite. I've tried to keep up with her publications since I took a whole seminar class on her in college; I have loved her work, so much, and it's hard to tell whether the books are worse these days or whether I'll just never really feel the same about literature as I did while sitting around a table of brilliant classmates, passing hours and hours talking about stories. Hag-seed was okay, but felt smug; I know I read Stone Mattress (I can see I did…in 2016, apparently!), but I can’t recall a single thing about it. Compare that to Cat’s Eye, which I haven’t read since 2006, but remember in great detail (particularly the scene in which the protagonist peels skin off of her feet, eek).
But this book. I loved this book. I put off reading it for a couple of years because I really, really didn’t want some kind of self-important, fan-servicey, TV-show tie-in sequel to a book that is so precious to me, so genuinely ground-breaking and good. And this felt like a really worthy sequel that deepened the universe. I may have some quibbles that are too spoilery to mention, but overall, I just adored this.
ellarose123's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gl_mrtnl's review
4.0
Maybe the secret to liking this book is not having loved The Handmaid's Tale?
Definitely not perfect, and definitely giving the same vibes as that Clockwork Orange final chapter when it turns out that all's well that ends well, but I had very low expectations and ended up enjoying this sequel after all.
- Everything personal, when it comes down to it.
- History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes.
Definitely not perfect, and definitely giving the same vibes as that Clockwork Orange final chapter when it turns out that all's well that ends well, but I had very low expectations and ended up enjoying this sequel after all.
- Everything personal, when it comes down to it.
- History doesn't repeat itself, but it rhymes.
marinacka17's review against another edition
This book is far, far away from the universe of the Handmaid's Tale. It's a merely mass product, with YA vibes at time.
Couldn't finish the all thing, abandoned at 60%.
Couldn't finish the all thing, abandoned at 60%.
tofu97's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
cheriepie's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Misogyny, and Rape
jarichan's review against another edition
4.0
Interessanterweise kam ich mit diesem Buch viel besser zurecht als mit der Magd. Liegt es am moderneren Schreibstil? An der moderneren Übersetzung? Oder daran, dass ich die Prinzipien von Gilead schon kannte?
Ich kann es an nichts Bestimmten festmachen, muss aber gestehen, dass ich zu der Minderheit gehöre, die den zweiten Teil besser fanden als den ersten. Vielleicht muss ich die Magd auch einfach noch einmal lesen.
Vielleicht lag es auch daran, dass bei den Zeuginnen nicht mehr die Fortpflanzung selbst im Mittelpunkt stand wie bei der Magd (logischerweise). Aber das sind nur weitere Spekulationen und wahrscheinlich ist es für mich persönlich eine Mischung aus allem.
Auf jeden Fall hat Atwood uns wieder bewiesen, wie wichtig die Freiheit und Gleichberechtigung sind. Dass es Werte sind, die wir verteidigen müssen und die es wert sind, dass man sich dafür einsetzt.
PS: Tante Lydia fand ich äusserst faszinierend.
Ich kann es an nichts Bestimmten festmachen, muss aber gestehen, dass ich zu der Minderheit gehöre, die den zweiten Teil besser fanden als den ersten. Vielleicht muss ich die Magd auch einfach noch einmal lesen.
Vielleicht lag es auch daran, dass bei den Zeuginnen nicht mehr die Fortpflanzung selbst im Mittelpunkt stand wie bei der Magd (logischerweise). Aber das sind nur weitere Spekulationen und wahrscheinlich ist es für mich persönlich eine Mischung aus allem.
Auf jeden Fall hat Atwood uns wieder bewiesen, wie wichtig die Freiheit und Gleichberechtigung sind. Dass es Werte sind, die wir verteidigen müssen und die es wert sind, dass man sich dafür einsetzt.
PS: Tante Lydia fand ich äusserst faszinierend.
mariatheresahqs's review against another edition
4.0
One of the best dystopian books that I've ever read, for sure. Even though the story shows some of many oppressive sides of society upon women, it also brings out the strength, intelligence, endurance and resilience of its female characters.