“Better never means better for everyone… It always means worse, for some” (Margaret Atwood, The Handmaid’s Tale)

This quote highlights that even when laws are changed to benefit people in a certain category, however it often leads to another group being impacted by it. The Handmaid’s Tale is a dystopian novel, written by Margaret Atwood, where a young handmaid named Offred shares her everyday life serving The Republic of Gilead that was once called the United States. However, this new government has altered the course of women’s autonomy and they are nothing more than objects made to only reproduce. 

Synopsis:

Offred is a handmaid in the government called The Republic of Gilead, who is sent to serve the Commander. Telling us of the everyday life of this new era. However, reminisces on the times she could work and earn her own money, making love to her husband Luke, and holding her daughter. But now those moments are gone, now she must follow the strict rules such as being forbidden to write or read, cannot travel alone, and have no control over their bodies. Their only reason to be alive is to have viable ovaries to reproduce children since the birth rates have become lower. Because what’s the reason why Offred is still living? 

Review:

The writer, Atwood uses a blend of fragmented storytelling where Offred is often talking to the reader in her inner mind. Which fits the style of the book since the majority of the time the narrator is always sharing her thoughts, internal monologue, and memories throughout the whole story. This is extremely important since Offred is telling it through her perspective of the life she had before and the present one she’s in now. 

I feel like Offred is very well-developed on how she became a handmaid and informing us of how this corrupt government had become powerful. Along with her being relatable on surrendering and obeying these new officials, because she’s shared of dying, but frequently thinks of committing suicide. Due to reaching the limit of struggling with her identity and not talking about how she’s felt with this control. She did undergo growth, such as slowly breaking the rules, and not caring about them as much but still does. 

The main theme of The Handmaid’s Tale centers on oppression of women, religious extremism, and fragility of society. The author Atwood wrote this as a cautionary tale warning us how quickly societies can collapse, trust being forgotten, and freedom lost forever. Furthermore shedding light on how we must not let this happen to our generation and the future ones to come. 

The plot is definitely original and brought attention to the possibilities of what can happen to human civilization. Seeing it through Offred’s perspective showed us how much we often take for granted our freedom, then one day it’s gone from us. The scenes were written well on illustrating the action between each character and providing flashbacks to help us understand the character better. 

I enjoyed learning more about Offred and the life of being a handmaid and learning how important it is that we as a society should work to prevent something like this from happening. It also opened my eyes to how I have so much freedom that I often take for granted, but I’ve come to appreciate every single day after reading this novel. 

The story in my opinion is written so well, and not a single thing bothers me. Other than the women stripped of their autonomy, but that’s the whole plot of the book to warn us. 

I definitely recommend this book for teens and adults, because it has dark undertones. It’s a heavy book and sometimes can almost feel so real, just make sure to take a moment after reading it. Don’t be afraid to read it! Give it a chance, the novel may open up your perspective even more. 

I give this book a 📚📚📚📚📚-for showing me the deeper meaning into life (5/5).

Love, Gia

GFB Ambassador