Published by Anchor Books, 1998. Paperback, 311 pgs
"I too am a missing person."
Jeepers creepers!!! In this work of speculative fiction, Atwood takes elements of our current society, and twists them just enough to make you feel desperately uncomfortable. This is her uncanny gift in most of her works, but particularly in this fantastic piece.
This books takes place several years after a "war" and is exceedingly upsetting in flashing back and forth between the "before" and present day. The reader hears the accounts told from the perspective of a Handmaid only known as "Offred" (names in the before having been abolished). This adds to the haunting feeling- with many snapshots of memories and precious day-to-day that was taken for granted.
"Absurd, but that's what I want. An argument, about who should put the dishes in the dishwasher, whose turn it is to sort the laundry, clean the toilet; something daily and unimportant in the big scheme of things. What a luxury it would be.....These days I script whole fights, in my head, and the reconciliations afterwards too."
Every time I tried to take a step back from this coldly-sterilized society, the descriptions of loneliness pulled me right back in. All live in fear and subversion, and Atwood handles the role of men brilliantly. They are also in a prison of sorts, albeit playing different roles than the women. As in any brutal regime, power and privileges are doled out to a select few. The role of the "Aunts" described in the Historical Notes section at the beginning was beyond brilliant. All the groups listed were captivating from a sociological perspective.
Beyond the awful duties these women must perform, I found the most heart wrenching part of the story to be unrequited longing and loss of hope. Longing for simple comforts, basic friendships from other women, and the smallest measure of freedom. The constant daily fear mixed in with mundane tasks makes this a compulsive read. Even the bland descriptions of food managed to be unnerving, as well as the system of dress.
I truly couldn't find a single fault in it, even if I shouldn't say the reading experience is "enjoyable". Exceptionally well-researched and paced. One of the rare books you read where it doesn't feel a single word is wasted. There was such depth of feeling, and luckily I own my copy, since I had to dog-ear pages and pages of quotes. Also, that intro. Also, just everything. It's an unforgettable masterpiece.
Beyond the awful duties these women must perform, I found the most heart wrenching part of the story to be unrequited longing and loss of hope. Longing for simple comforts, basic friendships from other women, and the smallest measure of freedom. The constant daily fear mixed in with mundane tasks makes this a compulsive read. Even the bland descriptions of food managed to be unnerving, as well as the system of dress.
I truly couldn't find a single fault in it, even if I shouldn't say the reading experience is "enjoyable". Exceptionally well-researched and paced. One of the rare books you read where it doesn't feel a single word is wasted. There was such depth of feeling, and luckily I own my copy, since I had to dog-ear pages and pages of quotes. Also, that intro. Also, just everything. It's an unforgettable masterpiece.
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