@Monique yes, I read the book first. The book wasn’t my favorite but the show is really good, I like that the second season expands on the characters’ stories
@Monique yes, I’ve watched most of the first season. I liked it fine, but I can’t give a good opinion of the show. I’m not much of a tv watcher and when a show is on I’m usually doing stuff around the house listening and not really watching.
The book is well worth the read. Written as a warning in 1980 or so, it describes where we are heading now as a nation. My high school kids read it as a class assignment for years. We had some great discussions.
I loved the book!! I agree with other commenters who said it might not be for everyone. Personally I’m a big fan of good dystopian fiction and I thought this was top notch. Haven’t seen the tv show though.
SPOILER Alert: I recommend the book. I have not seen the series. Some people are critical of the way Atwood chose to give voice to Offred. I thought her truncated inner dialogue was accurate for a woman who had been silenced. I also thought the “history of a sociological experiment” aspect sadly believable.
Yes just recently For club some like the Hulu series better which is surprising , not my kind of book but was disturbing and interesting. Felt like things weren’t wrapped up well in the end but I have been told the series starts off where book left off.
Loved it. Read it when it first came out, then twice last year. It’s so relevant today, when old white dudes want to control women and some want to impose their religion on the rest of us. A good one for today is Red Clocks, by Leni Zumas. That one could happen tomorrow!
I watched the show then tried to read the book but the show is so close to the book – I couldn’t hang. Felt like I had read it before since so much of the show is Offreds thoughts
I liked it- I think recent hype has made it more elevated than it deserves, but certainly worth a read. My main criticism of Atwood is that she beats you over the head with the point she’s trying to make and is consequently heavy-handed when making said point. Did you get it? Are you sure? Here it is again. Did you get it this time? Here it is again because I’m not sure you got it. Yes, we got it… several times. I found this also the case in Oryx and Crake (loved the first two of the trilogy, barring the above criticism, but HATED the third).
I’m afraid I didn’t like it at all. I read it as part of a book club, but I wouldn’t want to read it again I found it quite depressing. Sorry! I know a lot of people who really like it, and have seen the series that was shown in the UK recently, apparently it was brilliant. I would read a sample and make your own mind up. 🙂
I would say it is the worst book I have ever read, but it is not one of my best reeds either. My sister watched the shelves after reading the book in she loved it!
I thought it was a masterpiece and yes it was terrifying because of what is going on in the US right now. We are at a crossroad either we push back this repressive, xenophobic wave or we’re heading toward a form of Gilead!
The TV show is better
@Amy thank you. Did you read the book first? Because I don’t know if I should read the book or watch the show
@Monique yes, I read the book first. The book wasn’t my favorite but the show is really good, I like that the second season expands on the characters’ stories
really amazing, best dystopian book i reckon. make sure you read the historical notes at the end! people i know didnt read it and it really adds to it
The tv show was 1000x better
I really loved the book but it definitely isn’t for everyone
Jacinta Cornette Have you seen the TV show?
Sorry I had to rewrite my comment
@Monique yes, I’ve watched most of the first season. I liked it fine, but I can’t give a good opinion of the show. I’m not much of a tv watcher and when a show is on I’m usually doing stuff around the house listening and not really watching.
@Jacinta me too. I think I’ll watch it first and then read the book
Hated it. It was fine till the ending. A terrible ending can ruin a book for me.
stopped reading it after awhile. Didn’t interest me one bit
I tried to push thru but it was so boring to me!
I loved the book but it was not an easy read. It got me very sad, I had to take breaks. So close to reality, it is scary.
The book is well worth the read. Written as a warning in 1980 or so, it describes where we are heading now as a nation. My high school kids read it as a class assignment for years. We had some great discussions.
@Gail Have you watched the show?
Sucked
It was worse than licking an Ebola-ridden rabid monkey.
@Robin I completely disagree with you but give my due respects for that awesome description ?
Is it a page turner?
I loved the book!! I agree with other commenters who said it might not be for everyone. Personally I’m a big fan of good dystopian fiction and I thought this was top notch. Haven’t seen the tv show though.
Excellent. Not all that fictional…
I found the book scary. Seems to be a kind of blue print for our own time and the politics of our time. Scary as heck.
I thought it was nicely written but I didnt finish it, I just didnt like it at all
Loved it
The book was too much…but very intetesting.
To be more specific- it’s too liberal, too political, too approving of eugenics. The writing style was way weird too.
Read and then watch on Hulu!
@Beth I think that is what I’ll do
@Monique ?? The book isn’t my fave but the Hulu series is great! I would still read it. I like dark stories.
@Beth I’m going to Barnes and Noble on Friday and pick it up
@Monique http://forreadingaddicts.co.uk/literature/margaret-atwood-comes-to-the-rescue-on-twitter/29647
Excellent book. Not a feel-good book but worth reading.
I wouldn’t say I “enjoyed” it, it’s just not a feel-good or fun book. I do feel it’s a very important read. Well written. I’d recommend.
Obscure writing style. Slow. Unusually, it was in the television series that the back story was fleshed out and the plot tightened to become gripping
It was awesome. Not a light read emotionally.
@Collette Is it fast paced?
@Monique it’s engrossing..
LOVE
I didn’t care for it. I feel I would have been lost had I not seen the Hulu series first.
Meh.
Loved it.
This a fantastic book. I have had it for years and read it several times!
I only got halfway threw I just couldn’t finish it I will try again later
I didn’t like it.
Yes it is a good read
Love it!
I couldnt put it down. Such an interesting world to explore. It’s different to the TV series.
Different!
Loved it
It is in my top 10 all-time favorites.
I didn’t like it but I read the whole thing.
I read it 20or more years ago. I don’t remember much about it but I remember loving it.
SPOILER Alert: I recommend the book. I have not seen the series. Some people are critical of the way Atwood chose to give voice to Offred. I thought her truncated inner dialogue was accurate for a woman who had been silenced. I also thought the “history of a sociological experiment” aspect sadly believable.
I like it but not the ending.
Yes…..loved it….now a series on Hulu
Very long and drawn out but yes it was interesting!
I found it too scary to finish. Could all happen tomorrow especially under current American administration
Loved it!
Good book
Good read
It is good but dark and devastating.
Loved it!! Best book I’ve read in a while
Liked it..very different
Yes. Intriguing/ disturbing. Well worth the read
@Lisa I agree. I enjoyed it a lot.
Yes. Definitely read it.
Many years ago, so I don’t remember much. I do remember thinking it was strange. And, it was not a favorite of mine in that I never reread it.
Yes, great read. I haven’t seen the show and have been dying to watch! I don’t have Hulu ?
@Nolanandtara sign up for a free month of Hulu and watch and then cancel. ?
Yes just recently
For club some like the Hulu series better which is surprising , not my kind of book but was disturbing and interesting. Felt like things weren’t wrapped up well in the end but I have been told the series starts off where book left off.
A disappointment after all the press on the tv series. Just okay. Had hoped for something better
Loved it. Made me love Margaret Atwood
Good.
Loved it. Read it when it first came out, then twice last year. It’s so relevant today, when old white dudes want to control women and some want to impose their religion on the rest of us. A good one for today is Red Clocks, by Leni Zumas. That one could happen tomorrow!
@Denise I will put that one on my tbr list.
I read it before watching the Hulu series. It’s one of those books that challenge you and scare you.
I loved it!!!
I really liked it although it’s quite disturbing. Not an easy read
Fantastic book
So good!
Good book. Disturbing and frightening. Very relevant and scary -not a million miles from where we are today.
Very good book. Disturbing though.
Loved it!!!
I watched the show then tried to read the book but the show is so close to the book – I couldn’t hang. Felt like I had read it before since so much of the show is Offreds thoughts
Loved it! And saw movie and tv show.. and yes disturbing
Loved it
Yeah, but I liked the series better
Hated it, loved the show.
I was the opposite- loved the book, hated the TV series.
I loved the book , thought the series was a bit odd
I loved the book. Honestly one of the most heartbreaking and life changing books to read
Disturbing story
Haven’t read the book, but LOVED… LOVED the series. (Usually the book is better, but I won’t read it)
Disturbing bit addictive
I didn’t like the book but the tv series is brilliant
No but I’ve heard really good things about it off friends who’ve read it and all raved about it x
Loved it – not for the faint hearted
One of my all time faves but I love everything by Margaret Atwood
An all time favourite with me too 🙂
Hated it but like Margaret Attwood .
Loved the book and the show- not a common answer in regards to book adaptations. It’s scary “real” fiction
Is on my TBR.
I wrote my MA thesis on it in 1999. It was just a story then. Now, it feels like it could all happen by next Tuesday.
Yes – in High School
2 stars, boring could have been so much better, tv series kicks butt over the book
Amazing book so prescient!
Read it years ago I remember I liked it.
I didn’t care for it.
Sorry gave up with it
Weird…did not like it.
??
It’s amazing. We studied it as part of our English A level in the UK (pre college exams) in the 90s.
It’s next on my to read list! I can’t wait! The show is fantastic!
Great message, but I wasn’t a fan of the overall book and/or writing style.
Its on my kindle list
I didn’t like it!!! I have to say the show is better than the book
I loved it!!
Book was great.
Book was a traumatic read but very good
Read this when it first came out – way back when. fab!
I see mixed reviews. I think I’ll watch the show and then read the book. Thank you so much for your reviews☺️
the series was different-too graphic for me to watch.
The book haunted me for a long time in H S
Love it!!!!
I have it on my bookshelf to be read. My girlfriends that have read it really liked it. I really like the show!
Love it
Loved it!
I liked it- I think recent hype has made it more elevated than it deserves, but certainly worth a read. My main criticism of Atwood is that she beats you over the head with the point she’s trying to make and is consequently heavy-handed when making said point. Did you get it? Are you sure? Here it is again. Did you get it this time? Here it is again because I’m not sure you got it. Yes, we got it… several times. I found this also the case in Oryx and Crake (loved the first two of the trilogy, barring the above criticism, but HATED the third).
I’m afraid I didn’t like it at all. I read it as part of a book club, but I wouldn’t want to read it again I found it quite depressing. Sorry! I know a lot of people who really like it, and have seen the series that was shown in the UK recently, apparently it was brilliant. I would read a sample and make your own mind up. 🙂
I hated it.
Loved it. One of those that stay with you for a long time. Serialization nowhere near as good
I loathed it.
Wasn’t a fan – but I did love the tv show.
I read it 25 or so years ago, maybe more. It still haunts me. I can’t watch the show because of what I remember from the book.
Didn’t like it. Felt it was not written well and was just popular because the premise was shocking
hated the book , hated the show
It was weird,liked but did not love it,Not sure it will ever be on my read again list.
Not for
Me. It was too odd
Terrifying!
I would say it is the worst book I have ever read, but it is not one of my best reeds either. My sister watched the shelves after reading the book in she loved it!
I thought it was a masterpiece and yes it was terrifying because of what is going on in the US right now. We are at a crossroad either we push back this repressive, xenophobic wave or we’re heading toward a form of Gilead!
@Anne I absolutely agree and I’m shocked that everyone can’t see this.