The Handmaid's Tale

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Summary: An uncomparable work of social fiction. Scary!
Review: I read this book when it first came out and I still find myself trying to get everyone I come in contact with - especially women - to read it. FRIGHTENING! Those who say such events could never happen should review the rise of Nazi Germany, the events going on in Afganistan or just the rise of religious fundamentalism in the U.S. As profound as Orwell's 1984.

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Summary: Viscious!
Review: Never have I been more frightened to be a woman and mother than when I read this book.Margaret Atwood does a superior job of twisting your insides until you have to shut the book for a moment of respite. It is absolutely engrossing until the very end the movie by the way doesn't do it justice. A must read!

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Summary: This book is a feminine pile of trash
Review: This book is the worst pile of feminist crap that I have ever had the misfortune to read. It belongs in a dumpster. It's the sort of book which lets one understand why some people burn books for fun.

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Summary: Scary to think that this could happen to our society...
Review: I had to read The Handmaid's Tale for my college writing class, and it was surprisingly interesting and, at the same time, very scary. Atwood's perception of what our society could very easily come to is frightening. If you think this could never happen, you are wrong. It is already staring to happen. I highly recommend this book to anyone who understands the intricacies and complications of our society-it's not all as great as we think it really is! Just look at the direction we are heading...

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Summary: THE Book for Anyone Who Thinks Apathy Will Save Them
Review: As funding (especially in specific geographic sections of the US) for right-wing, Fundamentalist Christian causes increases, the Handmaid's Tale offers an exceptionally shocking, horrifying and magnificent view of the dangers of conservative extremism. I've bought dozens of copies of this book over the years, and each time I do I end up giving it to someone just to make sure they experience the exceptionally complicated and terrifying vision that Atwood expertly sets forth -- and so they remember that as soon as women (or minorities or anyone else who is not a member of The Establishment) stop fighting for our rights, they will be revoked again.

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Summary: Stunning
Review: This book really scared me in the end because it is so real. The stream of conciousness style is incredably evocative and draws you entirely into Offreds world - not necessarily a place you want to be. The most unnerving aspect is probably the very clear and carefully thought out way that Offreds world is linked to and springs from our own. It really makes you think about the way we are going.

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Summary: It is a well-written but unoriginal book.
Review: Margaret Atwood, in "The Handmaid's Tale" gets inside the characters' minds beautifully. She also has an effective writing style. Her use of metaphor and other types of figurative language is masterful. The problem with this book is that it repeats the same message as Orwell's masterpiece "1984". We must appreciate and guard our basic freedoms, because if we ever lose our fundamental human rights they will be difficult if not impossible to regain. One big difference between this book and "1984" is that Atwood has a strong feminist slant. I ended the book with no feeling that I had gained fresh insight, which I most certainly did after reading "1984," arguably one of the most brilliant books ever written. Atwood is a talented writer, but ultimately, "The Handmaid's Tale" was not a satisfying novel.

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Summary: ATWOOD CONTINUES TO EXAGGERATE THE EVILS OF OUR SOCIETY
Review: This semester, in Grade Twelve english class, they forced this book down my throat. Don't think I am an illiterate jock. I am the opposite. I understand the book, and it is nothing but a great example of Atwood's disillusioned view of society. Never will anything remotely like the Republic of Gilead be formed. Atwood's intentionally vivid description of the impregnation ritual is unnecessary. I am not offended by it, I am disgusted by it. NEVER in any english class will a book written by a male rights activist be required reading, so why should we read a book by an outdated feminist? Ever since women (deservedly) got the vote, feminists have had to scrounge for stuff to gripe about. Take Ally McBeal, for example. Feminism was successful, and now is no longer necessary in North America. In this day and age, women get good jobs, and are treated equally, sometimes better than men. They are not, and never will be, brainless robots used as fetus containers. (That's just my opinion. Buy the book, if you believe the hype.)

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Summary: An absolutely ESSENTIAL book
Review: This has been my favorite book for years -- I've read it so many times that I had to tape the cover back on. Each time I come back to it, it offers me something different. It's certainly not a light read, but this is Atwood at her frightening best. The potential reality she depicts is disturbing and thought-provoking, written with amazing force and imagination. She gives us one of the best narrators in literary history, a woman with infuriating yet understandable weaknesses. The ending is pure Atwood, for better or for worse. I insist that you read this book... at least three times.

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Summary: Intriguing novel about changing women's roles
Review: This book was difficult to put down as I sought to find out more and more about how the religious cult portrayed had brainwashed so many people into following a ridiculous code of living. The juxtaposition of the baby making obsession and the extermination of opposition in the name of God was provocative and unsettling. As a Christian (but not one of the religious right) who believes and understands the Bible, I was curious to see how Atwood would describe those who had taken the Bible too far (or taken miniscule portions of it too far). The most horrifying aspect for me was the degradation of women as God's idea for them is quite different than the male domination portrayed in the novel: His idea is for equality with man, for women to live with purpose, for men and women together to show the amazing identity of God, and for all to freely read his word and grow in knowledge and freedom found within it. The book is good. It provokes all to think deeply about how religion affects society for good or for ill.