Book Review: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

Title: The Testaments

Author: Margaret Atwood

Series/Standalone: The Handmaid's Tale Series (Book #2)

Genre: Adult Fiction, Dystopian, Feminism 

Pages: 422

Publisher: Nan. A. Talese

Year Published: 2019

Format: Hardcover Copy (Library)

"When the van door slammed on Offred's future at the end of The Handmaid's Tale, readers had no way of telling what lay ahead of her- freedom, prison or death.

With The Testament, the wait is over.

Margaret Atwood's sequel picks up the story more than fifteen years after Offred stepped into the unknown, with the explosive testaments of three female narrators from Gilead.

In this brilliant sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, acclaimed author Margaret Atwood answers the questions that have tantalized readers for decades.

'Dear Readers: Everything you've ever asked me about Gilead and it's inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything! The other inspiration is the world we've been living in.' - Margaret Atwood"

My Rating: 4.25/5

This was not what I expected from the second book in this duology. The different perspectives, the different narratives and an inner look at how Gilead became what it was in the first book. I also didn't expect to see the specific characters we heard about. While it answers a lot of questions, I was hoping to see the direct fallout of the narration and the fall of Gilead overall. That being said, it doesn't appear to be Margaret Atwood's style to write the dystopian rebellion stereotype. I can respect that. If more were to come from this series, I would certainly read on. 

Thanks for reading,

Sidny

Book Review: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Title: The Handmaid's Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

Series/Standalone: The Handmaid's Tale Series (Book #1)

Genre: Classics, Dystopian, Science Fiction

Pages: 320

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Year Published: 1985

Format: Paperback (Own It)

"The Handmaid's Tale is an instant classic and eerily prescient cultural phenomenon, from the 'patron saint of feminist dystopian fiction' (New York Times) The Handmaid's Tale is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describe life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to and going beyond, the repressive intolerence of teh original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men in its population. The story is told through the eyes of Offred, one of the unfortunate Handmaids under the new social order. In condensed but eloquent prose, by turns cool-eyed, tender, despairing, passionate, and wry, she reveals to us the prose, by turns cool-eyed tender despairing, passionate, and wry she reveals to us the dark corners behind the establishment's calm facade, as certain tendencies now in existence are carried to their logical conclusion. The Handmaid's Tale is funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing. It is at once scathing satire, dire warning and a tour de force. It is Margaret Atwood at her best."

My Rating: 4/5

This was a bit of a hard read. Not only for the emotional context and how it relates back to our current reality, but also the way it's written is a little confusing. I think though that this lends itself to the fearful and suspenseful telling of tale that feels to close to the world we current live. I'm looking forward to continuing the series, but I'm starting the television show as well.

Thanks for reading,

Sidny