Scooter Chronicles

Last week I finished reading “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood. This was my second book for “The 2nd Canadian Book Challenge”.

From Amazon’s description and Library Journal, written by Ann H. Fisher, here is a brief synopsis:

In the Republic of Gilead, formerly the United States, far-right Schlafly/Falwell-type ideals have been carried to extremes in the monotheocratic government. The resulting society is a feminist’s nightmare: women are strictly controlled, unable to have jobs or money and assigned to various classes: the chaste, childless Wives; the housekeeping Marthas; and the reproductive Handmaids, who turn their offspring over to the “morally fit” Wives. The tale is told by Offred (read: “of Fred”), a Handmaid who recalls the past and tells how the chilling society came to be.

In some respects I am not sure what to say about this book. Given it’s place in the history of literature, I don’t think I could add to what has already been said. There are obvious social, political, and religious statements being made. But how Atwood presents it is here crowing glory. She is a great writer. This is the second book of Atwood’s that I have read (the first being “Oryx and Crake”), and have enjoyed both. Both are dark (not trying to compare though). It’s a brutal. You know this going in though. And yet it’s subtle in it’s brutality. Just amazing.

Margaret Atwood

There is a real story to like here though, even beyond any of the statements or views. Even over 20 years later it can been seen as just a great story. Sure, many of the statements may be still fresh today. But Atwood’s gift of writing, her prose, her storytelling is what won me over and what ultimately makes this book as brilliant as it is.

Atwood really captured the heart of someone torn between feelings. Offred is dealing with her memories of the past, wanting a better life then what she has, worrying about her loved ones, hoping that things will change, even break away from her oppressors, but not wanting to stand out as a rebel and remain alive in this new society.

I posted EW’s list of the best 100 books the past 25 years a couple of days ago. This book fell in at number 16. From my point of view it easily belongs there, if not a list of an even wider time span. I just wish it hadn’t taken me so long to finally read it.