The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale as a modern piece of speculative fiction is certainly one for the ages. We explore the totalitarian regime of The Republic Of Gilead and Offred's experiences within a society that places high regards upon reproduction of the species. We find Offred at times to possibly be an unreliable narrator as the novel is split by night and day where we explore her dreams and her harsh brutal reality. Atwood began the novel in the spring of 1984 and yet we still find its relevance in today's society. We see themes of Women against women, Patriarchy, Rebellion in the dystopian novel 

Her work is inspired from real world events including the rise of the Christian right movement in the 1970's and 1980's as well as the Islamic revolution in Iran in 1979 and even Mary Webster. And whilst reading the novel you as a reader are able to apply the events in the book to what modern conflicts we see now.  

Overall, I loved this novel and it is certainly one you can return to again and again and still be surprised by what you can find.

There is some rather harsh and potentially upsetting content in this literary masterpiece which you should consider before reading. For example, institutionalised ceremonious rape which can be skipped over but does provide an insight into the objectification of the women in Gilead. Also presentation of murder and prostitution and the loss of a child and birth trauma.  

Written by M.