@Mary, I hope you enjoy it. Sadly, it’s a little too close for comfort these days. I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the series, but I’ll always love the book. I just liked the storyline better when it was still speculative fiction.
@Cari, I just talked to my 28 yr old daughter. She read the book and watches the series. She told me to go rent the dvds before I buy the book. She gave me a synopsis of the story. Sounds a bit graphic. Ugh
I finished it but liked nothing about it. Didn’t like the way it was written — way too wordy and descriptive (I don’t need 3 paragraphs describing a chair); didn’t like the characters; hated the ending
I read it in 1985 while I was an activist for women’s health. Our health clinics were being bombed, and I was being followed and threatened. I could see all of the possibilities, and thought of Phyllis Schafly and how her life would change if she won.
I have a copy of it now for years and I am afraid to read it as I friend of mine read it and got upset as she said it traumatized her and she would not tell me how. So still building courage to go at it.
My 28 yr old daughter told me that it’s graphic in parts and explained the story line to me. I’m a bit iffy on if I want to even see the dvds she suggested I watch b4 reading the book. I don’t like raunchy writings.
Really enjoyed it. However, I prefer Oryx and Crake by same author. I think I wanted more out of Handmaid’s…like a trilogy or series so that I could get the full world.
Interesting that you see it as far fetched. Especially in the current climate I see it as scarily prescient and all too possible plus there isn’t a single thing in the book that hasn’t happened to women somewhere at some time.
Definitely worth the read.
Thank you Andrea.
worth the read – though the show is one of those rare ones that is a brilliant representation and elaboration of the original story
Very much worth the read.
Thanks Wendy
Yes, definitely. Double if you’ve been watching the series.
Isn’t it on Netflix? Which I currently don’t have. Drats!
Hulu but we use the firestick. The first season follows the book pretty closely!
Yes it was good!
I couldn’t finished ?
Wasn’t your cup of tea so to speak
I guess not.
@Jaiden, it’s all good.
Yes definitely worth reading
Let’s put it this way — it’s one of only two books in my life that I’ve taken the time to read twice. Read it and enjoy.
Cari, I need to go to Barnes n Noble
@Mary, I hope you enjoy it. Sadly, it’s a little too close for comfort these days. I haven’t been able to bring myself to watch the series, but I’ll always love the book. I just liked the storyline better when it was still speculative fiction.
@Cari, I just talked to my 28 yr old daughter. She read the book and watches the series. She told me to go rent the dvds before I buy the book. She gave me a synopsis of the story. Sounds a bit graphic. Ugh
I didn’t care for it…..the story in in itself is interesting, but the writing was not what i found to be up to par.
Barbara, why’s that?
I couldn’t get through it. A sleeper for me.
Yes
Is it a long wordy book?
It’s very short but it is a lot of prose. It’s beautifully written.
I finished it but liked nothing about it. Didn’t like the way it was written — way too wordy and descriptive (I don’t need 3 paragraphs describing a chair); didn’t like the characters; hated the ending
Me too…i made myself finish it
Yesssssssssssssss but be prepared to be depressed..
I was a bit disappointed.
I liked it ok until the end. Wasn’t a fan of it
It’s completely worth the read! ?
Yes
Brilliant book. Well worth the read!
Yes… the audiobook is good too
Yes I read it a few years ago
..i loved it
I’ve been reading other books of Margaret Atwood s but not this one yet. I like her, but it has taken some effort. She does write very well.
The Book was meh.. the show is actually much better.
Oh yeah! A x x
I read it in 1985 while I was an activist for women’s health. Our health clinics were being bombed, and I was being followed and threatened. I could see all of the possibilities, and thought of Phyllis Schafly and how her life would change if she won.
I’m currently reading it after 3 tries, I love it.
Must be a good book
It reminds me of 1984, I think you have to be in the mind set to read it.
@Ruth, now I’ve got to read it. I’m curious as to what I’m missing.
You will like it i’m sure.
@Ruth, is it hardcover or softcover
Softcover
1984 is exactly the vibes I got from
it. Luckily I had read 1984 right before it so I was in the perfect mindset for this one
Yes!!
Yes!
Yes I love it!
Yes
I watched the movie waiting for second season
Yes!
Loved it!!
I thought it was just o.k. (And I’ve never seen the show, either)
Yes!
Loved it!
Yes
excellent
Loved it
Yes. It is an amazing book.
Yes – much too prophetic
It’s on my to-read list!
My daughter suggested I check out the dvds first.
I have a copy of it now for years and I am afraid to read it as I friend of mine read it and got upset as she said it traumatized her and she would not tell me how. So still building courage to go at it.
My 28 yr old daughter told me that it’s graphic in parts and explained the story line to me. I’m a bit iffy on if I want to even see the dvds she suggested I watch b4 reading the book. I don’t like raunchy writings.
OK @Mary. Thanks. I may even try the DVDs first. I am going to make an attempt.
@Cheryl, we can do this, right? I’m with ya gf.
Yes!!!
I liked it, except the end.
My daughter said the end sux.
I liked it. Read it years ago
Well, i enjoyed it…
Excellent read.
Yes. Several times. And yes.
A great read.
I have this book but not read it
Yes, its good. You may want to watch the series yoo though because it does leave it in a way where you will wonder what happened next.
Amazing book.
Had to read for a book club several years ago-hated it.
I watched the series first so I found the book a hard read to finish, not my favourite book.
Yes – and absolutely worth the read. In these times, it’s positively chilling.
Really enjoyed it. However, I prefer Oryx and Crake by same author. I think I wanted more out of Handmaid’s…like a trilogy or series so that I could get the full world.
No. Its stupid. I love the detail of the tv series more.
I read it about a year ago, and liked it. I’ve read about the TV series, and I think it’s too brutal for me.
I read it a long time ago, highly reccomendable.
I didn’t think it was all that great. I couldn’t understand all the praising comments for it.
I didn’t like it…a little far-fetched and not really interesting.
Interesting that you see it as far fetched. Especially in the current climate I see it as scarily prescient and all too possible plus there isn’t a single thing in the book that hasn’t happened to women somewhere at some time.
@Pete maybe it was all of it put together…I’m not sure…just not my cup of tea.
Fair enough. I’m going to hope you’re right 🙂
Yes. As with any post apocalyptic novel, it requires imagination. But it has a strong message.
Absolutely. One of my all time favourites. The horror and helplessness is visceral. This has stayed with me like no other book
Anything by Margaret Atwood is amazing