Book Club 2022/23 – #1
Book Club’s first book of the year was Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985)
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 valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years 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 . . .
Funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing, The Handmaid’s Tale is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and tour de force.
Summary taken from GoodReads
So what did the Book Clubbers think..?
“I actually really liked the book and found it really interesting, despite it being depressing. I think it’s important to recognise some elements do happen today. However, I wanted to know more about the characters.” 4/5
“Some parts were interesting like the conversations she had with the commander and how different the world she lived in compares to the one she is in now. Most of it was hard to read as I didn’t enjoy all parts.” 2/5
“Enlightening and intriguing – and in my opinion – very feminist book. The concept was original, the writing was interesting, and the characters were so unfamiliar that it was intriguing.” 4.5/5
“This book is a shocking look at a truly dystopian future. I think that it is all too relevant to some modern day events.” 4/5
“The book covers many key areas which are important throughout history, today and in the future of humanity, including sexuality, gender roles, and the way power and society works. It helps broaden your view of the world and human beings ingeneral by giving a vivid and realistic dystopian world which h happened already in the world and may happen in the future to raise awareness.” 4/5
“I don’t like dystopian books, written too descriptively, dead ending. Not gripping, easy to put down.” 2/5
“Very uncomfortable to read. Very well written.” 3.5/5
“It’s not a book I can enjoy, more of a book that is interesting to read. I don’t read dystopian books, however, this was a good book to start with. It was hard to read – very traumatising.” 3/5
“Dragged a bit. Skipped a lot and it feels a bit horrifying.” 2/5
Find it in the Library and Study Centres FICTION: ONU
If you enjoyed The Handmaid’s Tale, you might like to try:
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (HUX)
Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley (TAL)
The Power by Naomi Alderman (ALD)
All available in the Library Fiction Section.
Invisible Women: Exposing Data Bias in a World Designed For Men by Caroline Criado Perez (305.420721 PER)
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