The Handmaid's Tale

anita_skop shared a tip "This book is a must read! The dystopian society is so deftly described that it is visceral. Find out why these images are so unnerving today. Do not miss it."

melanie_schmitz shared a tip "Not the best time for me to read this fiction work set in the future where women have no reproductive rights (and much worse). However, I’ll be reading the sequel."

nyjah_8054 shared a tip "This book is heartbreaking but it tells a story that shows that evil is not as far away as it seems. Read this book for class and glad I did."

jessica_spencer_9969 shared a tip "A lot of the subject matter was deaply moving and I believe it is extremely necisary for people to read however, my first encounter was with a highschool english teacher reading it outloud to the class (there are many graphic scenes). The book features many things that were triggering for me as an ex religious cult member."

brian_skeens shared a tip "Attempt evading how pleased the author is with herself & that she wrote the book from the context of the fall of The Eastern Bloc; she could not conceivably have been ‘eerily prophetic of the Trump era.’"

brian_skeens shared a tip "I loved Alias Grace! Until Handmaid’s I had not read her work, believe it or not. I absolutely loved The Blind Assassin & The Heart Goes Last, and The Testaments may be superior to its predecessor. My fav Atwood has thus far been Hag-Seed, about which I had remained ignorant were it not for the New York Public Library Podcast."

franciska_bakker_sephton shared a tip "If you listen to the audiobook, set the pace to 1.2 x and the "read" will be shorter. Any faster felt weird but 1.2 is perfect imo."

christilee_johnson shared a tip ""The moment of betrayal is the worst, the moment when you know beyond any doubt that you've been betrayed: that some other human being has wished you that much evil” ― Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid's Tale This novel of a misogynistic dystopian society was a difficult book to read that had me holding my breath, screaming inside myself! I haven't read anything quite like this, so thought-provoking!... If I were asked if I would recommend this book, YES!"

adalheid_onora shared a tip "I've only seen the first episode! I would like to see more of their interpretation of the book but also it's very hard to watch and makes me think about disappearing into the woods forever lol"

meru_aray shared a tip "I loved all of it. It’s filled with gorgeous prose and it truly opened my eyes to what it means to be an independent woman and that we should all question authority. It’s unnerving to me how much religion influences politics and this book opened my eyes a long time ago as to how little this country values women."

anastasia_dreval shared a tip "Please, please, PLEASE: do yourself a favor and read this book! It is extremely powerful and leads to understand the true power of feminism and women in this world! Also read “The Testaments” after it: it will impress you just as mich as this book and the turn of the system against the power of oppression!"

takalaka shared a tip "A haunting look into a dystopian future where women exist only as forced labor, coerced child-bearers, or trophy wives. A first person narrative of oppressive events, mystery, and escape."

miranda_braun_7749 shared a tip "Obviously a must-read. Grips you in a different and arguably better way than the show. This book gave me the feeling of being lost, and found again."

steph_conquer shared a tip "I haven't finished it yet actually but I read about half I think and I was really enjoying it. Different from what I normally read (YA/Fantasy) but she writes so well! I keep meaning to pick it back up again to finish it!"

simpletonsaidso shared a tip "This book I understand is realistic fiction, but the themes are so realistic that it feels more like a powerful cautionary tale of what it means to rob one of their agency and autonomy. In recent editions,the preface shares recent author commentary that the story is meant to share the message: it can happen here because it has happened there. Overall heavy read but captivating 8/10 some characters are too vague and pacing is boring at times. TW: r-pe/ domestic violence/self harm"

melise_fox shared a tip "No problem. If you also want another good one I just got done reading sanctuary and my mind is blown at how realistic it feels. It’s also dystopian and it’s a wonderful read!"

verna_wilder shared a tip "I read this when it first came out and was so disturbed by the possibility of such a world that I was not able to watch the TV series and I'm not willing to read the sequel. I think it's one that we all should read, but as I get older, I am less drawn to books that disturb me so deeply. Right now I'm using up all my book courage to read about institutionalized racism in America. Currently reading Caste by Wilkerson."

jae_del_bosque shared a tip "An amazing book. It keeps you in suspense. I read it for school but I have happily read it several more times for my own enjoyment. It makes you think and makes you want to have those difficult conversations."

rachael_li_8940 shared a tip "This book was so amazing. I love the authors writing style. She made the new society feel real and I wanted to keep turning the page. Hard to put the book down. I also thought it was cool how the author went back and forth from the present to flashbacks through the book."

kat_porrelli shared a tip "One of my all time favourite reads! Her dystopia world never fails to hit a little too close to home as I imagine how little would have to change for us to be living in it!"

sarah_fries001 shared a tip "Seriously one of the best books i ever read. It can be a bit difficult to understand and takes a great deal of analyses but you will never be able to put it down. The ending had me staring into the void and screaming. Trigger warning, there are a few r@pe scenes"

melissa_pedraza shared a tip "Debra, it was good, but I wouldn't say I couldn't put it down. Unlike most books being better than the movie show, this one is the opposite. Show is better than the book. BUT I still recommend because of the theme."

cynthia_garon shared a tip "This book is amazing and the show is great too. I advise that you read the actual book, unless you're sure the sound of Claire Danes droning on won't grate on your sanity. Do not read the sequel to this book, it is beyond awful!"

richard_paz shared a tip "Absolutely! I never saw the show, so not sure how they compare. But the book was fascinating. I got super attached to the main character which added to the suspense. So many twists and turns. I definitely recommend!"

jeanne_vavruska shared a tip "I love the show so much that I thought I'd read the second book "the Testaments". Sadly, I was bored. I felt like the entire book was building up for something but the excitement never came. I wouldn’t recommend it. But, ill watch the show"

bree_ward shared a tip "Well, if you watch the show before you read the book it’s obviously not as good. But I still really enjoyed this book. There are little inter thoughts in June’s mind that we don’t see in the show which I really love :)"

libby_gamez shared a tip "I just read The Vanished Bride, which is one of a series where the Bronte sisters solve mysteries. It made me want to read all of their books."

brooke_whitehurst shared a tip "Dark, haunting, and frighteningly close to home! The narration style is amazing as you dive into the mind of a woman trying to survive the impossible. Some parts are mirrored in the show on Hulu and some parts veer off, but the message is the same. This book was definitely ahead of it's time."

betsy_notovitz shared a tip "Margaret Atwood released a follow up story to this book just a few months a go. I have yet to take the time to read it but want to do so before the show starts again"

lacey_roberts shared a tip "I have only watched for first season,which I binged in a single day cause I couldnt look away. From that component I think they did beautifully making it and modernizing it enough to get under our skin even more."

jenny_fan shared a tip "If you're not a fan of Atwood's style but have always wanted to read one of her works, I'd highly recommend this book! I personally sometimes have trouble with her writing (sentences that are too long and too descriptive can give me a headache) but the Handmaid's Tale is much shorter and quite fast paced. While the language used to present the story might not have aligned with my taste, that did not at all detract from the superb story Atwood crafts. The world she creates is incredible and the book lingered on my mind long after I finished it."

courtneyk shared a tip "TBH, I do not have one favorite author. I just love to read. When I find a good book I just dig in. A lot of times, I end up finding a TV series that is based on a book and then go read the book."

maggie_harris_7955 shared a tip "I very relevant read except that I read it when I was 16 in a lit class and its a bit tramatic for the 16 year old girl i was. That said, the story has never left me 40 years later."

laura_pauline shared a tip "It’s been awhile and i watch the show which gets a little blurry BUT if you haven’t read The Testaments, I would HIGHLY recommend"

charlene_craft_5177 shared a tip "I don't know if I have favorite part as it was all great. But I think the part that resonated with me most was when it all started and how easy it was to stifle women and create an environment of dependence. Totally disturbing, and somewhat realistic when you think about it, to think, that could actually happen. Mind blown!"

abby_myles shared a tip "This, the giver and the hunger games got me into dystopians! I definitely think it’s worth it! If you do like it, also check out “the jewel” series!!"

emily_gilmar shared a tip "@lauragarcia1 I loved the whole book but the epilogue really had me actually! Loved the perspective of how the rest of the world viewed Gilead, thought it was so accurate to today even written in the 80's. How about you?"

amber_thibodeaux_8685 shared a tip "It's really hard to pin down a favorite part. I am a sucker for dystopian but realistic plots. How relatable the characters were and how their reactions were believable. An example of what I mean is the birth of Janine's baby. What was your favorite part?"

clara.garza shared a tip "A difficult read but extremely worth it. Read it in a couple days and would 100% read again to get even more juice out of it. 10/10 book."

mandi_claussen shared a tip "I just finished The Homecoming of Samuel Lake and it was so very good. Also, recently read The Darwin Affair and loved it. Neither book is anything like The Handmaid's Tale though."

livlively shared a tip "Ladies don't think this can't happen to us. The haunting approach to the possible dystopian future can always happen and this is why it's terrifying. All it takes is a shift in mindset and a will to do."

mac_reid shared a tip "How they made a series out of this dry work of fiction, I'll never understand. The idea is fascinating. Atwood's presentation of it was not."

bribri_doll shared a tip "@harperbrownca Currently I’m on a Shirley Jackson kick. Ever since reading The Haunting of Hill House I’ve become obsessed with reading her other works."

kristie_6132 shared a tip "I enjoy reading dystopian genre books that could feasibly happen. I also love Margaret Atwood's writing style. She has a way of pulling you directly into the story. In this story I am able to feel the fear, loss, rage... every emotion and viewpoint is so easy to understand. I've experienced this book through reading, listening and watching, and all three many times over. Hands down one of my top 3 books."

cindy_blakney shared a tip "Wow. Hard to put this one down. From start to finish it's an intriguing read that I didn't want to end. If you love this book, read The Testaments by Margaret Atwood as well."

ty_s_606 shared a tip "This is a hard question lol, because I love to read! It honestly depends on the genre, and even then I'd be hard-pressed to name one favorite per genre."