The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

The Handmaid’s Tale is a novel of such power that the reader will be unable to forget its images and its forecast. Set in the near future, it describes life in what was once the United States and is now called the Republic of Gilead, a monotheocracy that has reacted to social unrest and a sharply declining birthrate by reverting to and going beyond, the repressive intolerance of the original Puritans. The regime takes the Book of Genesis absolutely at its word, with bizarre consequences for the women and men in its population.

The story is told through the eyes of Offred, one of the unfortunate Handmaids under the new social order. In condensed but eloquent prose, by turns cool-eyed, tender, despairing, passionate, and wry, she reveals to us the dark corners behind the establishment’s calm facade, as certain tendencies now in existence are carried to their logical conclusions. The Handmaid’s Tale is funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing. It is at once scathing satire, a dire warning, and a tour de force.

Join the 1st Reads book club to discuss this title on Wednesday, July 6, at 2 pm at the Macks Creek Library. 1st Reads book club meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 2 pm.

Copies of The Handmaid’s Tale are available in ebook or e-audiobook from Libby. Anyone with a Camden County Library District library card can sign up for a free Libby account. Do you need a library card? See what you will need to bring with you to get a library card today. Copies of the book and audiobook are also available for pick up at the Macks Creek Library.