A review by airsilv
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

challenging dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No

Devastating, frustrating, and disturbing in turns, I read this book for my Literature course, and found it perfect for studying. If you’re looking for entertainment, you likely won’t find it here, as the main character has mostly been written with the keep-your-head-down attitude that she claims very early will be paramount to her survival. However, if you are looking for a meaningful speculation of what a terrible future nuclear warfare and patriarchal values could lead to, you will find it with Atwood’s ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Ableism

Minor: Abortion

Describes several issues surrounding pregnancy and children, such as child loss, and derogatory language around disabled infants. The systematic sexual violence is frequently mentioned but not typically very graphic in terms of description—descriptions are almost apathetically clinical at times.