The Handmaid's Tale

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Summary: A Classic, Chilling, Cautionary tale!
Review: This would have to rank as one of my all-time favorite books, and certainly one of Atwood's best. This story of a society dominated and controlled by an unfettered right-wing Christian government is absolutely terrifying. The movie does not do justice to the book, but it was a nice effort.

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Summary: Little Red Riding Hood and Christianity in 21st Century
Review: Why is The Handmaid's Tale a must-read for Christians? On the surface, it points out the all too familiar seeming dangers of Christian fundamentalism come to power. Having locked up in a Christian state what Christians should really take to heart may well be seen as a metaphor for what is happening in broad parts of Christianity. Underneath her sarcastic criticism of all religion become stone and dogma, however, there is something to be sensed in this palimpsest of voices which is not so much anti-Christian after all. Atwood makes extensive use not only of symbols, but also of Scripture, especially 1 Corinthians 13. Faith, Hope and Love are introduced vice versa, turn up as a kind of hidden agenda in Offred's reconstruction of her own past, which again turns into her very own Gospel. The trias comes up over and over again, twisted, questioned, neglected, shattered, tricked, and, finally, redefined. By redefining spiritual values, especially Christian ones, our 21st century Little Red Riding Hood successfully resents to be devoured by the wolf. Of course, like every piece of good literature, Pieixoto's work is open to interpretation, but to me Atwood's masterpiece has become a kind of survival programme for nowaday's Christianity. Spiritual truths only survive by redefining them on an individual basis.

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Summary: The Religious Right's dream, everyone else's worst nightmare
Review: With fundamentalist sects seeking to turn the United States(or the world) into a theocracy, THE HANDMAID'S TALE may actually be a glimpse at what may be in store in the future. Read it, pass it on to others, then read it yourself again; this is a classic, a must read for anybody, especially women.

Rating:
Summary: Chilling but insightful.
Review: Just like a lot of other readers, I also have to read this book for my English class. I found it very chilling that women are no longer valuable unless they have "viable ovaries". I admire Atwood's imagination and the technique that she used in The Handmaid's Tale. There're a lot of flash-back to the 'before time'. I at first felt it's very difficult to read. But after I got used to it, I realized that this technique enhanced the book so much. They increase the choppiness, and the confusion of the story. I loved this book. And this book could be an alert too. Our society might become Republic of Gilead one day

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Summary: Should be required reading for all senior English classes
Review: Like [e-mail], I also had to read The Handmaid's Tale for my AP English class as a summer reading assignment. However, I walked away from this book both shocked, amazed, and enthralled with Atwood's writing. Having never read any Atwood before, I had no idea what I was walking into when I decided to read THT. I was absolutely amazed by Atwood's use of language, chapter structure, imagery, and symbolism.

This book should be used as mandatory reading in both senior English classes and government classes (if government classes are manadatory anywhere else but New York). This book is a prime example of what situations can evolve if citizens are not aware of the world around them along with the events taking place around them. In order to make students cautious of their actions, it is necessary to show them examples, fiction or nonfiction, of the results of possible actions. Speaking as a student, I think that the rest of my class would have gotten much out of this book had it been mandatory reading in this year's curriculum. Unfortunately, it was not, but I still was appreciative to have the chance to read and analyze Atwood's writings in an academic environment

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic
Review: I loved it. I thought that it was going to be boring but once I started I couldn't put it down. The only thing is I wish that you would have found out in the end what happened to her when they took her away. I had to read it for a school project and every one in the class had different views about when it actually takes place. That is what makes it so intreguing, you have no idea what time period you are in. Who knows, this could happen to our society one day

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Summary: It can happen in the near future
Review: The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood is a book based on how society is going to be in the near future. There was a decline in women being able to get pregnant and conceive a child. The Handmaids were the ones able to do this deed and get rewarded by it. The women not able to have children are then band from the city and known as the unwomen. This is a very detailed book, but interesting to those who try to image how the near future is going to be

Rating:
Summary: Nicely written, but not among her best.
Review: This book is well enough written, but I don't think it's among her best. I was disappointed because the ideas lacked novelty for me. It seemed like a variation on Orwell, and some other "controlled society" readings I've seen. And, although the society described would indeed be horrific, as a reader I was neither shocked nor fazed by the sexual and anti-abortion aspects of the book

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Summary: I really found this book disgusting, confusing, and morbid.
Review: I had to read this book for english class at school. I reallydidn't like it. I found it confusing how offred went back and forthfrom present time to her old life. It was disgusting how she discribed the ritual for her to get pregnant. What kind of author would actually write about beig a handmaid, especially if it's not true? I heard there's a movie that's based on the book, and they end different. Thank goodness the commander doesn't die in the book like the movie, that would have made me hate this book more. I can't believe people would actually enjoy this book. I think your ratin was rather high, seeing as it's kind of a strange topic.

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Summary: Insightful
Review: A thought-provoking look at another possible way patriarchal society may choose to control women and their fertility.A word of caution from an Atwood fan: I find too many of her books in a row, despite Atwood's greatness, and they become predictable