Title: The Handmaid's Tale

Author: Margaret Atwood

Publisher: 1985

Genre: Speculative Fiction

Pages: 325

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Popsguar - Classic from 20th Century; What's in a Name - Profession; Women Authors

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are only valued if their ovaries are viable.

Offred can remember the days before, when she lived and made love with her husband Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now....

A reread for this month's book club. I first read The Handmaid's Tale way back in college for one of my women's studies classes. I was blown away by the parallels to our current society. I love Atwood's presentation of this tale that may or not be true. Offred is an intriguing character full of contradictions. I love that she is a flawed character. She could be anyone. We join her on a journey through the treacherous world of Gilead. I can't wait to have a great book club discussion.