The Handmaid’s Tale is fiction

After The Handmaid’s Tale was published in 1985, Margaret Atwood was asked by a man in the audience of a book event, whether this novel was autobiographical. She replied in the negative. (Book Of Lives: A Memoir Of Sorts, p. xiv) She told the man that the book was set in the future, a dystopian fiction.

To know about Atwood’s explanations of her books’ background, and her writing process, you’ll have to read her memoir, Book Of Lives: A Memoir Of Sorts. There is a main book review of that book at the weblink.

Jim Polk, Atwood’s ex-husband, said that book was about the Harvard English graduate program (Book Of Lives: A Memoir Of Sorts, p. 226).

Atwood devoted one whole Chapter 30 (Book Of Lives: A Memoir Of Sorts, p. 429) to talk about The Handmaid’s Tale.

Literary devices

Atwood released details slowly, by and by. That was her show and not tell method. The reader is immersed in a dystopian society. How did the protagonist end up living under the control of Puritans? The backstory is told in drips too.

This theme is relevant in today’s world. There are religions and cultures which promote Puritan values and way of living.This story has an invented society, codes of conduct, social hierarchy, community living, ethics and everything else.

Rating this book

This is definitely for Atwood’s fans.

Who is this book for?

It is for readers who believe in traditional values of the woman’s place.

On the other hand, it shows the extremes of patriarchy, subservience, masochism, anti-feminism and the strength of the human spirit.

One gif to describe this book:

One word review to describe The Handmaid’s Tale:

Horror.

One sentence review of The Handmaid’s Tale:

This book shows the human spirit is undefeatable.

This is my copy of The Handmaid’s Tale.

Buy the book:

Have a look at the costumes

The Handmaid’s costume.

Martha’s costume.

Here are two variations of Martha’s costume.

Which would you rather? The Handmaid’s costume or Martha’s costume?

Disclaimer – If you buy from the weblinks, I may earn a small commission.

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