I feel as if this is a book everyone has read – that in itself makes me nervous – reviewing a book that is so loved, so iconic and so well-known. I feel as if I don’t need to write a long re-hash of the plot – though in the unlikely event that there is someone who hasn’t read this book I will attempt to give a spoiler free taste of it.
“But who can remember pain, once it’s over? All that remains of it is a shadow, not in the mind even, in the flesh. Pain marks you, but too deep to see. Out of sight, out of mind.”
I first read The Handmaid’s Tale somewhere between 1987 and the early 1990s. My Virago edition dates from 1987, and I feel like I have always had this book in my possession – and hard though it might be to believe, I didn’t have an absurd tbr back then, so it stands to reason I would have read it around the time I bought it. I had wanted to re-read it for a while, so when my very small book group chose to read it, I was delighted. Certain books stay with us– on some level at least, no matter how many books come after. When I read The Handmaid’s Tale all those years ago I was quite young, and the story horrified and haunted me – I loved the novel and was devastated by it at the same time. Dystopian fiction worried me, I was at an impressionable age during those latter years of Thatcher’s Britain. A few years earlier when I was still at school I had had a similar reaction to George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four (I left school in 1984 aged sixteen, I had read the book in the early 80s and convinced myself it would all come true). This time I flew through the novel in two days, breathless with admiration, it really is the most astonishingly brilliant, and deeply affecting novel – and still feels frighteningly relevant.
Margaret Atwood takes us to a terrifying, near future, the former United States, now called Gilead, a war is being fought, disease and pollution has had a drastic effect on fertility. The entire government have been assassinated and replaced by a new social order, a totalitarian theocracy intent on ensuring the continuation of the population. Atwood’s depiction of this society – with its rules and punishments is absolutely breath-taking, it reads as a warning. A strongly feminist novel, The Handmaid’s Tale explores the subjugation of women in an unforgettable way.
“But remember that forgiveness too is a power. To beg for it is a power, and to withhold or bestow it is a power, perhaps the greatest. Maybe none of this is about control. Maybe it isn’t really about who can own whom, who can do what to whom and get away with it, even as far as death. Maybe it isn’t about who can sit and who has to kneel or stand or lie down, legs spread open. Maybe it’s about who can do what to whom and be forgiven for it. Never tell me it amounts to the same thing.”
Offred is our narrator a thirty-three-year-old woman, forced to live as a handmaiden in the home of a high-ranking commander and his wife – her task; – taken from a literal interpretation of the Old Testament – is to breed for them. Offred (literally of-Fred, the commander’s first name is Fred) having found to be fertile, having had a child in the time before – was forcibly taken to the Red Centre, where she was prepared and instructed in the ways of her new life, that of a handmaid. Here she meets Moira – a friend from the time before.
“The moment of betrayal is the worst, the moment when you know beyond any doubt that you’ve been betrayed: that some other human being has wished you that much evil”
In flashback, we get a glimpse of the time before – Offred as she is now called -knows her former name to be forbidden. She had a partner – Luke, a daughter, friends, had enjoyed a college education a job, a good life. Flight across the border to Canada was attempted and violently stopped. There is the sense of life continuing perhaps fairly normally in the outside world.
The society of Gilead is a strictly hierarchical one, all women are categorised – having a set role they must live by. The Aunts control the handmaids, the Marthas work as household servants, wives naturally enough are the women who enjoy the greatest social standing, while Econowives are married to lower ranking men, and do not enjoy the prestige of the wives, jezebels are those women forced to work as prostitutes while unwomen are those who are sterile, widows, gay or have been politically resistant to the new order. All handmaids are placed in a commander’s home for two years, if they fail (always their fault) they will be moved to another household – their name changing with each placement. Infertility is high, but the handmaids must conceive – and bring a healthy child into the world, these are rare enough events, but each handmaid is desperate to be successful. Too many failures will mean banishment to the colonies – toxic waste, near starvation and certain death. Sex is conducted within ‘the ceremony’ an act of hideous humiliation for both handmaid and wife (shudder!).
Women’s lives in this society are strictly controlled – they are no longer permitted to own property, have money, read, vote, make any decisions for themselves. The time before is rarely referred to, and in this new society women are pitted against each other. Econowives and Marthas dislike the handmaids seeing them as sluts – and the handmaids have little chance of forming friendships – as the Eyes are everywhere and the punishments for straying outside the rules frightening indeed.
I’m not going to say any more about the plot – so many people seem to be reading this classic novel at the moment. Then of course there is the new TV series – in which Margaret Atwood makes a cameo appearance, and is one of the producers. I made a remark on Twitter about Offred’s before name being revealed in the first episode – and Margaret Atwood herself replied – oops – apparently this was implied in the book and I missed it (oops) and this name was chosen by readers. I hadn’t known that obviously. So, who feels silly now? I do. Anyway, my book group friends and I are going to have so much to talk about – I can’t wait.
I completely missed what Offred’s before name is in the book too! And I’ve read it at least three times, so you aren’t the only one!
I gather it is only slightly implied in the book (a scene in the Red centre where a list of before names are whispered at night) – but then later fans of the novel picked it as having been Offred’s name.
Like you, I also recall being profoundly affected by this when I read it back in the late eighties. As you say, it’s frightening to think how much of it still resonates today…
When applied to the world we live in now it does feel frighteningly possible.
I’ve been wondering whether to read this again. I haven’t manged to steel myself to watch the TV adaptation which is, by all accounts, excellent. Cowardice on my part – it feels a little too relevant at the moment. I hope you’ve arranged an early start for you book group meeting – so much to talk about!
I understand what you mean about it feeling too relevant – it is an excellent drama though I wonder how they will make it fit ten 1 hour episodes.
I must be one of the few people on the planet not to have read this. Must do so as i intend watching the TV series, which I’ve recorded. So I’ll return to your post when I’ve done both
Ooh really looking forward to seeing what you think of it. You see I knew there would be someone. 😊
I read the book so long ago, it’s crying out to me to re-read now. I don’t think I got my head beyond the dystopian aspects before (I read most SF&F in those days) – so it’ll be good to give it a proper grown-up read.
I’m so glad I re-read it now – I got so much more from it this time.
Like many here I read this back in the 1980s and really can’t remember much about it – apart from the way they disenfranchised the women and took away their access to money was really scary. I’m not sure I feel strong enough to revisit it in the current climate…
Yes, that disenfranchisement is brilliantly done and so chilling.
Another one who read it in the late 80s and then again some time mid-90s but just before the reading diaries began. I can’t steel myself to watch the series and also wonder how I’d find the book now, having been through adulthood and the questions about women’s value and emphasis on fertility that come up through that.
It is the kind of book which is probably interesting to read at different times in our lives. I don’t think you would like the TV series.
I missed Offred’s name in the book, so you are not the only one. I have read the book but not watched the series yet.
Glad it wasn’t just me. I think the series is very good, though quite dark.
Thanks for this! I’ve emailed you to ask if you could do a rejigged version for Shiny but no reply? Maybe I have the wrong email address?
Ah it may have gone to an old address I hardly use now. Will seek it out and reply.
A book I definitely want to re-read. Like you, I think I read it close to publication, back in the day where I would buy 5 or 6 books at a time and read them all before the next book buying spree. I think the TV, so far, is excellent. The problem for me is that Atwood’s book feels far less ‘speculative fiction’ now, than it did then. So, it is a much more terrifying book today.
I think the reason so many people are reading it at the moment is because of how frighteningly relevant it feels these days. We live, I am afraid in interesting times.
I devoured this book in my college days in the 90s, and now I feel like rereading it — and getting my own copy. I was prompted to read it when I saw the movie (1990). Have you seen it?
I will say this: the book (or movie) did not concern me back then. I never did foresee (the U.S.) becoming a theocracy. However, I seriously have different feelings today about the influence of Islam into my country; but I won’t get into it b/c it is highly unpopular to have my views. : (
I can certainly recommend reading it again..
I shouldn’t get into politics but I’m afraid I can’t agree that it is that which is the threat to the US.
Anyway happy reading .
I read this book a few years back and I loved it! It’s a very thought provoking book and surprising how so many elements of the story are still so true in today’s life (shocking of course). I guess everyone is reading it now because of the TV show, which I haven’t seen yet.
It’s great to see so much renewed attention in this novel. The series is an excellent watch too however.
I read this for A Level (many years ago!) and it made such an impression, but I never thought it would achieve a new relevance *shudder* I’ve not yet watched the TV series but I’ll make a start on it soon, I hear such good things.
It is the kind of book that leaves a deep impression especially when read at about that age.
Although I did reread this about five years ago, I’m reconsidering it yet again, thanks not only to enticing commentaries like yours but that Hulu series. So. Well. Done. Although best “enjoyed” in small doses for me. Intense and relentlessly spot-on.
Like the book, I know I’m going to want to re-view because there are so many details (especially with light and shadow, but also camera angles) which I think are curious and interesting but I really can’t stop thinking about what’s happening in the story long enough to appreciate those details!
I know what you mean. I’m so glad I re-read this now but I found the novel less emotionally harrowing than the tv series (though it is excellent). I liked having the book in my head more than having it in front of my eyes if that makes sense.
Perfectly!
I read this book early last year and was haunted by its strangely detached narration. It’s a wonderful story and I am going to (eventually) get around to watching the new television series. I’m just not entirely sure whether my reluctance to watch is because, subconsciously, I am afraid it won’t live up to expectation.
It is a good series worth a watch. Though I find it harder to watch than read about.
I think that’s always the way. I’m definitely going to give it a go when I’ve finished the series I’m currently watching.
My book club just read Handmaid’s Tale! Such a fascinating read with many layers. I’m interested to watch the show, especially as i really like Elizabeth Moss and the show did so well at the Emmys.
Hope you enjoy it, it’s a great series.
[…] The Handmaid’s Tale is definitely my all time favourite – I loved it both times I read it, I know I will read it again, and I was blown away by both series of the TV adaptation. The story is so important, a novel that seems to speak to subsequent generations in a way that feels like a warning. […]