Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale (Contemporary Classics)

In my opinion Atwood is indirectly calling the the US presidents, "commanders" because the presidents are now catholic and Gilead is in the future so it could all come true if we are not aware of such situations.

This a literary classic, well written dystopian novel. I didn't like the fluid plotline and the un-omnipotent narrator. Overall, it is a great novel, hardly a challenging read because it is so engaging.

Margaret Atwood has taken a step into literary creativity by writing a unique novel in a dystopian world. As an A2 student studying the novel in detail, I find I have a real interest in the nightmare world of 'Gilead', perhaps because it is so unexpected and suprising.

The real sense of Atwood's style mirroring 'ecriture feminine' is continually present in the novel, presenting fluidity, emotion, absence of punctuation and a real exploration of female perspective in a deeply misogynisitc society. It is quite freshing to read a personal account which is in no particular order but is separated into distinct sections, for example: "Night", "Waiting room", "Salvaging". The story itself is disturbing. Absence of freedoms, a theocracy based on absurdities of the Old Testament, social status, "adapt or die" is the general concept.

The remarkable description and attention to detail reflects a world where thought and speech is oppressed, rather like '1984' by George Orwell. Those who speak out are publicly hanged, those who do not conform are sent to the 'Colonies' to die slowly. The handmaids themselves are offered little freedoms as baby makers for the state. The compelling personal account will shock you, scare you and invite a sense of helplessness.

Atwood is also a contextual perfectionist, with many issues in the 70s and 80s making clear inroads in this dystopian novel. The main uncomfortable issues centre around the United States of America under the control of a totalitaritarian regime, the control of people and the control of the future.

Atwood, however, has often been criticised for the ending of this novel and the way 'Historical Notes' play a part in describing events for many centuries after the year of the last chapter. However, the choice is entirely the author's.

I enjoy the dystopian theme which scares me a little after each chapter. I recommend this book as a great read - but don't rush it. It requires a lot of attentive reading.

Offred narrates The Handmaid's Tale, switching from her past to the dystopian "present." In this future, all that feminism stands for has been abolished and the United States has been renamed. Offred isn't even her real name. It is her new name after she has been made a Handmaid for a Commander to bear his children.

I am studying A handsmaid's Tale at A Level. After reading the book twice I have found it very hard to understand why the book has gained such widespread acclaim. I found the plot too unrealistic to be threatening or thought provoking and the characters very hard to empathise with. Although I understand why Atwood structured the book in the way she did, to show erratic thought and such; I find it an uncomfortable read. The ending also leaves much to be desired.

Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale - This is one the best books I have read, I have read it three times and am now studying it at English Literature A level which pleases me greatly. I find the dystopian ideas fascinating and very reflective of how society could become. In my opinion, life as they know it has been wiped out and they must re-write history how they believe it should be. They must create a new standard of social behaviour, not sinful or degrading as it was "before" but a pure, biblical life that worships women inside, not outside, promoting the view that women were once vain and selfish and now must look after themselves inside and bring God's children into the world in a corrupt and in my opinion, dirty way.