The Handmaid's Tale

Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book
Review: It's been three years and this is still my favorite book. The supreme dystopic novel, I am awed at the parable quality each time I read it. Its simplistic nature makes anyone enjoy it. I love it!

Rating:
Summary: A Feminist Masterpiece
Review: This is definitely among the best books I have ever read. Similar to Orwell's 1984, this book's dystopian future is frighteningly realistic, and certainly plausible. Many (if not most) of the characters are sympathetic (though, perhaps, not at first), and among other things, a message of the novel is "Don't judge a book by its cover." And [best of all], unlike 1984, the book does not devote itself to the dogma of any particular system (like 1984 does with Communism), but instead allows Atwood's intent to be seen through the actual plot and the revelation thereof. If you liked 1984 at all, you will certainly enjoy The Handmaid's Tale.

Rating:
Summary: scary.....thinking that it could happen!
Review: I read this book and I was chilled to the bone by Offred's total lack of freedoms that we, as women, take for granted. To be reduced to merely a baby-producing machine curdled my blood. Atwood does a fantastic job of creating a fantasy world that very well could come true. my only complaint is that she fails to fully develop any of the female characters in the novel-even Offred remains flat and one-dimensional. This is an excellent science-fiction psychological thriller, but as do all thrillers, the characters lack any depth.

Rating:
Summary: A true masterpiece
Review: Beautiful! Beautiful! Beautiful! A stunning read! Atwood has touched the core of my heart and has set it aflame with her brilliant choice of words. This novel has made me realize the beauty as well as the evil of our world, and has forwarned me of the bleak future which is awaiting us all. Every word Atwood uses is stunning, the vivid pictures created in my mind have been dancing to this day. This by far, has been one of her best works ever, and to top this masterpiece would simply be impossible.

Rating:
Summary: Life Changing
Review: Rarely does a book fundamentally change your outlook on life. This is one of those books. Well worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: Interesting book, but mediocre characters
Review: I found Offred's character not to be terribly developed. I felt that she was to fulfill that Everywoman function too much leaving her seeming almost generic. Moira had the potential to be an amazing character, but never really got out of that Strong-willed Man-Hating Lesbian sort of stereotype.

Another example - Atwood missed an incredible opportunity to explore Luke's character more fully, especially in relation to Offred after her freedom had been taken away.

The plot itself I found really interesting, but the lack of character appeal made me much less sympathetic to the women's plight.

Rating:
Summary: Even Hooked a Teenager!
Review: A chilling experience is what I recived each time I've read this book. It takes an exceptional novel and plot to gain my attention more than once. The strong characters reverberate in my mind. Ofreds stuggels of the future somehow relate to the things we face in this day. If a book can move a 17 year old country girl, who knows what it can do for you.

Rating:
Summary: A not so far fetched theocratic nightmare
Review: This novel was originally billed to me as a female version of 1984. I now know that serves a great injustice to A Handmaid's Tale, only because it stands alone in its own right.

Margaret Atwood paints a chilling picture of a disutopic theocracy where women are confined to a few set roles, and the "lucky ones" become vessels for the rich to mate with. The plot revolves around Offred ("of fred") a former revolutionary who is entrapped in a life as a handmaiden while her daughter is raised by strangers.

Offred is a character that I felt I could relate well to, as she is a woman with great courage, intelligence, and defiance. Her ultimate uprising against the family and government that oppresses her is the epitome of heroism. Although the novel ends rather abruptly and ambiguously, I think that the ending works best as it gives the reader a sense of both realism and hope.

The oppression reflected in this novel is quite plausible, despite its critics' claims to the contrary. Modern Islamic countries are already halfway to the state of oppression A Handmaid's Tale represents, and it is foolish to think that they may not go further in a totalitarian direction. This novel serves as a warning to both women and men to keep check on their own individual rights.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book!
Review: This book demonstrates a world with complex social interactions in a way that is readable, believable, and most importantly plausible. It really makes you think about the social roles of women and the importance to maintain a feminine identity. Very well written and easy to read. One of the best romances I've ever read!

Rating:
Summary: An incredible blend!
Review: Like "1984" and "Slaughterhouse 5", this is an incredible blend of science fiction/fantasy with social criticism. A very creative, terrifying, and engrossing novel. Virtually flawless.