I am on chapter 10 of The Handmaid’s Tale and I’ve been struggling to keep going since the beginning. Shall I continue on??
I am on chapter 10 of The Handmaid’s Tale and I’ve been struggling to keep going since the beginning. Shall I continue on??
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I wish I hadn’t.
Felt it was a complete waste of my time.
@Corinne my curiosity is getting to me because I’m dying to know whats going on but lord it is getting hard.
Google has a decent plot summary.
I’m a big dystopian fan, and I even love very dry writing styles (specifically for this genre)
But Atwood missed the mark for me with Handmaid’s.
Same here. . I was looking forward to this being good but it’s just real hard, I’m having to force myself to keep reading.
Life is too short for shit you don’t like.
@Corinne I liked the book when I read it many many years ago. But I really like your comment!
I liked it, but I did fall asleep during it a lot.
@Sarai im so curious so I want to keep reading but it’s all over the place to me. .
Didn’t like it at all…didn’t like the ending…leaves you hanging…not really knowing what happened.
@Tonja thanks for heads up. .
There’s a sequel of sorts coming out. The testaments, I think it’s called.
These comments are disappointing 🙁 it is on my tbr list.
@Shaunnalyn you may like it, our opinions are subjective.
@Shaunnalyn same here
@Shaunnalyn it is one of my favorite books ever. To be fair, I read it in 2002 so there was no current hype at that time and my expectations were at zero. I re-read it recently and it’s still one of my favorites.
@Shaunnalyn I love it I read it at college in 2001 and read it again recently just before the tv series came out
I would read till the end otherwise u be wondering what happened
@Emma that’s my dilemma! I’m so curious so even tho I’m not too far in, I’m far enough where I still feel the need to read and find out what’s going on.
Hated it. I don’t like dystopian fiction but this took it one step further. I appreciate it’s a brilliant concept and very well written, but I found it left me numb and worse…bored. when any literature bores me to this degree then I find it rather sad…
I didn’t feel it was particularly well written at all… ?
Definitely agree it was a brilliant concept though.
Mmm. You could be right there. My daughter was studying it for A level and was finding it hard going so I read it from a purely critical point of view so I could help her out. She dropped out of A level lit and I hated it…no more to say really. Ha ha ha.
One of the few books I decided not to finish. Just couldn’t stand it any longer!
The show is a million times better, and I NEVER say that. When I got to the end, I actually had to Google to make sure I read the ending. It was a library book, so I nearly thought the last chapter or two had been ripped out. ??♀️ Overall, definitely not my fave.
@Cassie I haven’t been that motivated to watch the series, but does it give some more closure to the story than the book does? If so I’ll consider it.
@Ellen it definitely does because it has more seasons! The first season ended just like the book, but then it continued. The book also left a ton of holes and missing info, and all that was added in the show. It’s such a great show; I highly recommend it!
Alias Grace written by the same author (I think) and it is sooooo much better
I hated it. The characters were all unlikable. The writing was boring and the end was unsatisfying. It was a waste of my time.
@Monica thank you
@Ashley I’m blown away by the number of people who love the book.
Don’t waste your time. Move onto something else.
@Frances thanks
I enjoyed it.
The concept of the book is so interesting
I finished but didn’t think it got better. The sequel is coming soon…
I found it extremely boring. Don’t waste your time. If you don’t like it by now, you won’t.
@Kim that’s what I’m thinking!
The Netflix series was raged about so that’s why I wanted to try the book first BC in most cases the books are better!
I read the book before watching the series after I heard all the rage about it. I did not enjoy the book but loved the show!
Yes.. finish it .. it’s no feel good book, but you’ll feel better if it’s over and done with.
@Dorine true!
I’ve not read the book to comment but I don’t think I’d like trying to follow all the back ward & forwarding
The series though is brilliant
@Jennifer yes I love the concept of it but it’s all over the place and hard to keep up with. .
@Ashley just my opinion but I’d go straight for the series-very meaty & hard hitting, I was hooked
Not all books are structured in a linear way and moving back and forth between time frames is a common and popular – and very effective narrative device. But it has to be done clearly and well to work and add any value to a text.
I have a 5 chapter rule…If I’m not in it by then…love another book!♥️♥️♥️♥️
I disagree about the plowing through. It’s like olives for me. Lots if people like them. I dont so I do t eat them.
@Jamilee great idea! Makes sense
If you don’t enjoy it , don’t. But it was a good book. It is difficult, scary, emotional, engrossing, and good. If you have a copy with the notes and other comments that part is interesting and influences looking back on the book. I found the audiobook easier and was very interested that she only used elements that had actually existed somewhere in history. Combined very differently but in a strangely realistic way to modern society.
I read the book but I wasn’t in love with it. I was watching the series kinda at the same time and I read it fast due to being curious what the book was going to do as opposed to the series.
I read the whole thing, it was ok but not as great as all the hype
Did not read the book but watched the dvd. It was ok. I don’t think I would have liked the book. Just not my style of reading
Listen to the audiobook.
I didn’t like it at all. I quit at 6. ?
Nahhhh
Nope, move on.
I didn’t like the book so I’d say put it down and move on!
It’s had rave reviews, but I quit as well.
I didn’t like it at all, but I did finish it. I don’t know why I did lol.
Fought to get through it since it was a club pick but I didn’t care for it
It’s okay to not finish a book and you don’t need any excuses. There are plenty of classics I hate. I have to admit this is a particular favorite of mine. I honestly think hype doesn’t do books any favors.
I struggled to push through and thought it would get better but it didn’t
Yes
I enjoyed it!
I didn’t care for it.
No
no
I skimmed through most of it. If you have enough patience.. then yes, otherwise abort mission!
@Sameea 100% agree!
I’m low on patience these days! ?
The series on TV is spectacular though!!!!!
Yes…..watch the series on Hulu
Nah
I didn’t.
I completed reading the book but it’s time I will never regain.
Hated it!
No
i quit it too
Tried the book and I don’t think I made it past the first couple chapters. The show is awesome though!
I started it 3 times, finally finished it.
Nah
I couldn’t get into the book, stoped reading it after chapter 3 xx
I’m 3/4 through. I want to know the outcome but it’s a little disconcerting for me!
I’m actually in the same spot (ch 10) and I’m enjoying it. It is a little challenging at times, but I like it overall. I would keep going. But then again, starting something and not knowing how it ends will drive me insane haha.
@Brittany I’m the same that’s why I am struggling with quitting it or not
There isn’t really a whole lot left, I would just finish it 😉
I just received it from one of my bookish friends….do I or don’t i?
Yes!
Yes. Either you like this genre or not. One of my favorite reads. Can’t wait for the next book.
Yes. I read it in the 1980s and found it very disturbing then and even more now. I thought it excellent.
Yes.
I personally only finished it because it was a gift and they wanted to know how I liked it. There are better books to read.
I absolutely loved that book. I found it very painful as a mother of young children. ?♀️
Try to keep going. It is very thought provoking and really makes one wonder about the what if’s. It is a bit confusing because of the flip flopping between the past and the here and now, but you’ll make it. I usually think books are better than the movies or series, but the series stayed pretty true to the book and you might enjoy it, but it will make more sinse if you read the book first.
Loved that book. That began my love affair with Margaret Atwood
I thought it was a horrible book.
Meh
I really enjoyed it. ?
I gave up
I gave up also it was boring.
It is not an easy read, but I liked it
I didn’t like this book. I have a rule that if I can’t get into a book in 100pages I move on.
I won’t even try this one, so I’d say what I always say – if you don’t like it, don’t feel you need to keep going with it.
Give up.
Sounds like you’ve given it a good try. I loved it but it is hard to read.
Blessed be
It’s not an easy read. Everyone’s writing style is different and some writing styles just won’t do it for you. In which case, abandon, and find something which really speaks to you
Yes, stop, there r 2 many wonderful ones you’ll like. I love all Kristin Hannah books, and love Susana Kearsley, although she doesn’t write often enough. I enjoyed The Orphan’s Tran for a start. The Help was good, but long.
I struggled but did finish it… I was let down big time
Is it anything like the tv series?
It’s not for everyone, it a disturbing future
Yes!!!!!! The ending made it worth it for me
Really didn’t like it
I liked it. It was thought provoking but v depressing!
Very dull compared to the series.
Is so bad
You should finish. It’s a twist you see coming but not terrible.
Oh no please don’t tell me there’s no closure at the end of the book. ?!!
No.
@Chris totally agree ?
I didn’t like this book at all. Wasn’t sure why everyone liked it so much. I’m glad someone else doesn’t like it.
Yes, really good book. But not everyone’s cup of tea!
Omg this is my fave book of all time. I don’t like re-reading books but I have read this book 3 times. It’s also the only book I’ve re-read
@Maria I’ve almost finished I can’t wait for her sequel
I never finished the book
I could not finish it.
I couldn’t finish it either but love the tv series!
I’m really enjoying it? I’m about 40 pages away from the end
I am enjoying it. I’m on chapter 31 so far.
No. I didnt
ike it atall.
We read it for our book discussion. No one liked it. Some never finished it. I have never had a book that I disliked so much.
I watched the TV show before I read the book and I enjoyed it Looking forward to the second book in September.
One of my least favorite books ever. ?
To each his own though..
You’re not alone, Ashley.
No. It is okay to not finish a book if you don’t enjoy it