@Alicia the show or the book? I can’t remember if I tried the book and couldn’t get into it or it just didn’t appeal to me. The show did a great job though.
@Paula it was on Hulu here too, so I thought I would never see it but channel 4 bought the rights, so I got to see it, the rest of the series is on my TiVo x
@Paula flat screens I have, actually I just got my first smart tv a few weeks ago….Lauren “accidently” knocked mine over and needed replacing. I love it!
The book haunted me. Called dystopian, but I’ve a feeling we’re heading that way with artificial intelligence, robotics, zombies, surrogacy and surveillance apparatus like Aadhar.
Not a huge fan of the book, either. The writing was like nails on a chalkboard. I couldn’t get into the book at all. It also dealt with subject matter that I thought was rather difficult for my tastes. I mean, I can read books where women are subject to abuse, and I am particularly keen on historical fiction that centre on abuse and violence against women and girls, but Handmaids Tale was a definite nope for me.
@Pamela it did, didn’t it? It may have seemed a good system but I don’t think it was a particularly viable system, there was too many factors against it, if that makes sense.
To me it was so disturbing. I think it’s the only book I’ve ever read that made me feel truly sick to my stomach. But it’s like a car crash. BECAUSE it’s so disturbing, you can’t look away and you get sucked in. I think the show is creating a better plot with the characters. The show has a chance at giving an ending I’ll find more satisfying.
Poor execution of a really fantastic idea. I felt nothing about any character or event.
One of my absolute favorite books in the world. It’s sparse (the whole story is the main character’s internal thoughts) but haunting. A quick read. Here’s a review I wrote of it when I reread it last year before the show came out:
http://www.timesleader.com/features/656480/on-the-books-plot-of-atwoods-handmaids-tale-frightening-because-plausible
on my top ten books of all time!
Wasn’t impressed, it bored me, sadly
I loved it. Very good distopian fiction. It IS a propaganda piece, but that genre tends to be anyway.
I loved it and couldn’t put it down. It’s rather uncomfortable but I think that’s why it keeps you drawn in, to see how she will react
I’m reading it now. I’m somewhere around page 75. It is okay so far.
Loved it! It’s a great read
I really enjoyed it, though I haven’t watched the series yet
I read it years ago and recently reread it when the show started. It’s a thought provoking book, well worth reading.
Really really great. Essential reading, even if it is upsetting. Margaret Atwood is a great writer anyway. The series is awesome too.
I adore her. I haven’t even read everything she’s written and I still consider her one of my favorite authors.
I loved Cat’s Eye.
Yes. That book was one of the few required reading books that I really connected with. Her MaddAddam trilogy is awesome too
I like the first one best!
@Alicia me too! Have you read The Robber Bride? I just watched Alias Grace on Netflix too. Never read that one but the show was great.
I loved the robber bride. I didn’t like Alias Grace so much, but maybe that was just me. I never forgot it though!
@Alicia the show or the book? I can’t remember if I tried the book and couldn’t get into it or it just didn’t appeal to me. The show did a great job though.
The book. I didn’t check out the show because the book didn’t do it for me
It’s one of my favourites, I read it in a day & I have re~read it over the years, I’m half way through the tv series?
I’m dying to watch, but it’s on Hulu which I don’t have 🙁
@Paula it was on Hulu here too, so I thought I would never see it but channel 4 bought the rights, so I got to see it, the rest of the series is on my TiVo x
I don’t even have TiVo/DVR…I’m so basic LOL
@Paula sorry hen, it took us years to get a flat screen tv, we were watching a portable tv, it took awhile for us to get TiVo as well☺️☺️
@Paula flat screens I have, actually I just got my first smart tv a few weeks ago….Lauren “accidently” knocked mine over and needed replacing. I love it!
We have an antenna! Talk about basic!?
I read it back when it came out. I liked it, but couldn’t tell you about it now. Plan to reread…someday.
It’s terrific but some what dated to our eyes
Hmm I don’t know about that. Given the current climate and #metoo movement, the books’ themes and warnings seem more prevalent than ever.
The theme is making a comeback, yikes, scary.
Terrifying
I didn’t find it dated much at all.
I found it more relevant during my last reread than when I read it in college 15 years ago.
read it. what are you waiting for? =D
Going to like right now!
when you’re done with that … try one of these: =D
http://gjscherzinger.com/index.html
Thanks!
Actually started watching it today. So far so good, definitely going to read the book soon.
I read it when it first came out and it disturbed me so much I can’t watch the show. So….great book!!! Lol
It is disturbing, no doubt about it.
Loved it. <3
I prefered the tv series really struggled with the book.
The book haunted me. Called dystopian, but I’ve a feeling we’re heading that way with artificial intelligence, robotics, zombies, surrogacy and surveillance apparatus like Aadhar.
I’m thrilled that Atwood is consulting on the second season.
local book club read this, not my idea of a good read, but everyone has an opionion
Didn’t like it at all. I think I’m in the minority with that one though.
Does’nt matter. Likes and dislikes are personal.
Not a huge fan of the book, either. The writing was like nails on a chalkboard. I couldn’t get into the book at all. It also dealt with subject matter that I thought was rather difficult for my tastes. I mean, I can read books where women are subject to abuse, and I am particularly keen on historical fiction that centre on abuse and violence against women and girls, but Handmaids Tale was a definite nope for me.
I couldn’t get into the book. I just quit reading it and moved on.
It’s an important read! Get to it when you can ❤
I thought it was good! Her book Alias Grace is better.
Good book. I read it years ago and recently read it again. Atwood is sometimes a genius.
Ashamed to say I haven’t read it yet
Neither have I! You can always read it when you have time or feel like doing so.
I barely finished it and wanted to throw it across the room when I was done.
why?
That was the moment when I realized I actually hated dystopian books. I hated the premise and the characters.
I am with you. I hated it.
It’s funny how books can provoke such a visceral response!
It was terrifying how easy you could see that happening and our lives could be flip upside down in a heartbeat.
Not a fan
Loved it but the ending was dissatisfying
I think it was open to interpretation, what the reader thought?I do admit to being dissatisfied by the ending?
****POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT*****
I have to admit I think the ending added to its creepy factor. It seems the system didn’t survive.
@Pamela it did, didn’t it? It may have seemed a good system but I don’t think it was a particularly viable system, there was too many factors against it, if that makes sense.
Makes complete sense and was the only sense I could make of the ending.
I really liked it
Loved it!!
I wasn’t wild about it.
To me it was so disturbing. I think it’s the only book I’ve ever read that made me feel truly sick to my stomach. But it’s like a car crash. BECAUSE it’s so disturbing, you can’t look away and you get sucked in. I think the show is creating a better plot with the characters. The show has a chance at giving an ending I’ll find more satisfying.