I will admit - Over the years, 'Handmaid' was one of those books everyone had told me just HAD to be read - but with the clear discomfort they'd show in saying that, I always thought - Nope; not for me. I'm just not one for the whole dystopian thing; I need to see some light at the end of the tunnel. Fast forward to last week - this book being required for my daughter's Eng Lit class, and sitting available while I was at loose ends in a Starbucks for several hours - I thought, Why not?... and how glad I am, that I had those few hours. Wow. I was gone, hook line and sinker, from the first page on. Handmaid is set in, yes, a dystopian future in which women's place in the world has been subverted, through various events which resonate awfully closely with current times. The story picks up at the moment when Offred (a concatenation of her "owner's" name and her position in this society) is assigned to a new home in a city in America, for reasons that become all too clear within a few short pages. Her experiences within this new environment, interwoven with her recollection of her past before this societal apocalypse, unveil themselves like the layers of an onion - a never-ending interweaving of recollections and current experiences which, in their close parallels with so much that seems to be happening in our current world, make it not just an uncomfortable read, as so many other reviewers have said; but an eerily prescient one for these times. I could go on about that aspect of what makes this such a valuable read for any person over the age of 10 years old, but I'm quite sure many of the 1,000 + prior reviewers will have spoken to that far more effectively than I ever could. But for me, what makes this book so great is the Voice that the protagonist gains as she struggles in such a harsh, unforgiving, and shockingly cruel environment - the brutal honesty with which that voice speaks to the horrors and impossible personal choices that any of us would have to make, faced with such a savagely misogynistic society. There is no turning away from those realities in this book; Offred is, clearly, no better than any of us; but, she is, perhaps, more honest about her choices than any of us would ever manage to be. She has no roads but dead ends; no feelings but pain, isolation, and tragic loss; in a society which both reviles her and yet absolutely, completely, stunningly, needs her. And yet. There is compassion - much compassion - in this book not just for Offred but for each of her persecutors; and a perfectly clear view, of each person in Offred's life, from the patriarchy which dictates every aspect of the lives of the Americans; to the women with whom she is forced to share the household; to the man who runs their lives - and in theory owns Offred, body and soul. Margaret Atwood has managed to capture the complete horror of this situation and yet the complete spectrum of needs and innate humanness - warts and all - of each of the players in this world, speaking with true sight not only about what they each do, but the real WHY of it, like a series of ornate but utterly constrained chess pieces moved about in a deadly game by unseen hands. Atwood's brilliance with the written word, the layers of meaning she assigns to so many individual words, is a both a challenge and a complete delight, no matter how difficult the topics she makes us consider. Each page is like unwrapping a gift of many layers of brightly colored paper, never knowing what you will ultimately find inside: something to treasure, or something to fear. Offred's voice and her observations of self, other, and society are so clear and beautiful, so bleak, sad and yet hopeful - so compelling - in making us see these people. There are many phrases and visions Atwood has generated that will stay with me, now, for life. I cannot say I am in all cases glad of that - but I know i am richer for it. And in reading many of the current, more negative responses of the Amazon reading community, I cannot help but wonder if their dislike of the book is in many cases driven precisely from Atwood's artistry with words. She holds up not a picture for us to view, but a mirror to reflect realities that in many cases no one in their right mind would want to see - they are far too close, too personal, too true. And yet - we MUST look. I do not see, as some others do, a depressing endgame in this book; quite the opposite. Offred's determination to survive no matter what the cost and her slow but relentless growth to her own form of power and eventual rebellion, is not so much a story as a roadmap. We could all do well by, like Offred, looking with clear eyes at this dystopian imagining. If, at the end of the day, this book leaves you uncomfortable or depressed or angry - good, if at the same time it also manages to leave you unsettled. Atwood's intent was never to entertain you but to inform you - and that, she does with a master's deft hand. Three days and counting. What will we learn in Atwood's new book? I look forward, with a perfectly uncomfortable blend of anticipation and anxiety, dread and hope, to the answer to that question.

Only reason it’s 4 is because I personally didn’t find it very engaging. It has a good message, is objectively well written, and I can see why a lot of people like the book. Just wasn’t for me. Glad I read it though

A “PORTENT” OF THINGS TO COME…! The “HANDMAID’S TALE” is about a country (The United States of America) that is ruled by THE LETTER and NOT by THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. * 2 Corinthians 3:6 And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; FOR THE LETTER KILLS, but the Spirit gives life. * Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. The Christ (meaning - “The anointed One who Saves”) Became our substitute and the fulfillment that all the law required. * Philippians 2:6-11 New King James Version (NKJV) “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” * 1 Peter 3:18 "He suffered once for [our] sins, the righteous for the unrighteous" * Hebrews 10:10 "As God's sinless sacrifice, Christ suffered and died once and for all, for all who believe in Him" 2 Corinthians 5:12 “Are we commending ourselves to you again? No, we are giving you a reason to be proud of us, so you can answer those who brag about having a spectacular ministry rather than having a sincere heart. Romans 10:8-11 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint) As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 1 Peter 3:18 "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" Ishiah 53:5 “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" So for those who feel That they have done too much that they cannot be forgiven that feel like it’s all hope is gone, saying what’s the use. So please Know that there is only ONE unforgivable sin * In Mark 3:29 Jesus says that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” * Matthew 12:31–3 Matthew's account adds That even “blasphemy against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” * Matthew 25:41: "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'" * Romans 3:23 New International Version 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, * Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” * Isaiah 59:1 "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear". * Ezekiel 18:23 Therefore God says… “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live THEREFORE ACTION IS Required on your part * Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. * James 2:17–18. James taught the relationship between faith and works. 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. And * Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Anyone who says that they are a child of God MUST SEE… The Emmy award winning series “THE HANDMAIDEN’S TALE” on HULU! It is about a nation that is ruled by THE LETTER and NOT by THE SPIRIT OF THE LAW. * 2 Corinthians 3:6 And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; FOR THE LETTER KILLS, but the Spirit gives life. * Galatians 5:22-23 New International Version 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. The Christ (meaning - “The anointed One who Saves”) Became our substitute and the fulfillment that all the law required. * Philippians 2:6-11 New King James Version (NKJV) “who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.” * 1 Peter 3:18 "He suffered once for [our] sins, the righteous for the unrighteous" * Hebrews 10:10 "As God's sinless sacrifice, Christ suffered and died once and for all, for all who believe in Him" * 2 Corinthians 5:21 "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God" * 1 Peter 2:24 "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness" * Isaiah 53:5 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed" So for those who feel That they have done too much that they cannot be forgiven that feel like it’s all hope is gone, saying what’s the use. So please Know that there is only ONE unforgivable sin * In Mark 3:29 Jesus says that “whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.” * Matthew 12:31–3 Matthew's account adds That even “blasphemy against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but not blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.” * Matthew 25:41: "Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels'" * Romans 3:23 New International Version 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, * Romans 5:12 “Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” * Isaiah 59:1 "Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear". * Ezekiel 18:23 Therefore God says… “Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign LORD. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live THEREFORE ACTION IS Required on your part * Matthew 11:28 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. * James 2:17–18. James taught the relationship between faith and works. 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. And * Romans 10:17 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”

Written in a style of a thought process, it is messy and barely coherent but easy to follow. Filled with a lot of random memories in a steady slow pace, it is like listening to white noise. I used this book when i had a hard time falling asleep. Just a few pages and I'm gone, and for that i am grateful.

Já tinha assistido à série homônima de TV e achei ótimo o livro.

Margaret Atwood sits atop a class of master storytellers. She has penned a litany of great books, but I truly consider this to be her best work ever. I was somewhat shocked, while doing my due diligence before purchasing this novel, at the number of reviewers (to the greatest extent women) who either outright dismissed it as – one example – “a fabrication beyond belief” or who decried its portrayal of women as “exceedingly objectifying” and “just like sex objects.” OK, the each their own, but even the most rudimentary of content descriptions makes clear that this is a dystopian novel that is – from Amazon’s own opening blurb – “a stunning Orwellian vision of the near future (where) Handmaids . . . have only one purpose: to breed.” It goes on to describe the story as “Provocative, startling, prophetic . . . at once a mordant satire and a dire warning.” So, no, this will not be everyone’s cup of tea. Some may find deeply disturbing the things Atwood conceptualizes; may choose to see such things as simply impossible, or may choose to simply dismiss the story and or author for what they perceive are the failings of either. All of these, I find, to be quite acceptable, but the “I didn’t know what I was buying” or “It wasn’t what I expected,” excuses truly fall flat. (Save them though, since they might be usable if you ever buy a can of paint without a label or, in doing so, find the colour to be Shocking Pink when you “expected” it to be Moss Green). The Handmaid’s Tale is brilliantly written and will, in my view, be a novel read (and reread) for a very long time.

I picked up The Handmaid's Tale as a big fan of the hit television series. I initially listened to the audiobook, drawn in by Elisabeth Moss’s portrayal of Offred, but I was eager to dive deeper into the original text. This novel offers fantastic writing that captures your attention from the very first page. Pros: • Engaging writing that keeps you hooked throughout the story • Richly developed world with elements of fantasy that feel relevant to our reality • Thought-provoking commentary on society, reflecting themes that resonate deeply • Beautiful hardcover design with a dust jacket that enhances its aesthetic appeal • Offers layers of meaning that unfold as you immerse yourself in the narrative Cons: • The heavy themes and dystopian elements may not be for everyone • Some readers may find the pacing slow in certain parts, as the world-building is intricate

For those who like dystopia and thrilling suspensive atmosphere.

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