The Handmaid's Tale
This book made me soooo mad! I actually had to distance myself a couple of times just to get through it, because I was starting to smoke from my ears... I definitely wouldn't have made it in this society...The setting is a totalitarian distopian world, where woman are basically cattle, but worth less. They're objects to be owned and done with as pleased. Used as breeders sent to die if they don't produce. Even the conservative women who wanted to revert back to "wholesome values" are regretting their choices... and doesn't that just make you laugh? How appropriate is it to the times!? Considering the time it was written and the fact that it's still relevant now, just serves as a sign of how screwed up this world is.
The story follows OfFred, who has been beaten down and her spirit has been pretty much crushed. What hasn't been broken she tries her best to tamp down, because any show of individualism could get her killed. I couldn't even begin to try and imagine how I would have acted in her stead, because it is just so horrific... I'm pretty sure I would have been dead because I would kill if anyone touched my child... and I guess it would explain her actions when it comes to Nick and the Commander, although she really didn't have a choice with the commander... but the recklessness to be with Nick, who can blame her for doing whatever it takes to feel even slightly human again... even though she judges herself harshly for exactly that...
Clare Danes was an amazing narrator, and I'm actually really glad that I listened to this on audio instead of reading it myself, because the writing was made to be read aloud and appreciated for it's beauty and cadence... I'm not Margaret Atwood so I can't even really describe it, but it was almost like seeing it and feeling it instead of just hearing...
The ending was ambiguous, but I think it was perfect. Something like this shouldn't have a clear-cut, quick and easy ending. Because why should there be an ending when it hasn't yet ended?
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS?
