anyone read The Handmaid's Tale?

[arcane1]

I read it years ago, and started re-reading it again this morning..

what do you think?

[DrWeird]

1. I haven't, but heard it's good.

What's the plot again?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

2. I Saw The Move...

It's a dystopic future where sex is relegated to strictly procreational purposes...

[BrklynLiberal]

5. Prescient

The Handmaid's Tale is set in the futuristic Republic of Gilead. Sometime in the future, conservative Christians take control of the United States and establish a dictatorship. Most women in Gilead are infertile after repeated exposure to pesticides, nuclear waste, or leakages from chemical weapons. The few fertile women are taken to camps and trained to be handmaidens, birth-mothers for the upper-class. Infertile lower-class women are sent either to clean up toxic waste or to become "Marthas," house servants. No women in the Republic are permitted to be openly sexual; sex is for reproduction only. The government declares this a feminist improvement on the sexual politics of today when women are seen as sex objects.
Written by Margaret Atwood

[Orsino]

9. Any resemblance...

...to actual Americas is purely coincidental. Nothing to see. Move along, citizen.

[ET Awful]

11. Don't forget that the goverrnment in the book said much of the

change was in reaction to a threat by Islamic radicals. Or so the book says.

[noonwitch]

12. The republic also kept women for the generals and bigwigs to be sexual

slaves to them and visiting businessmen from other countries. They chose the lesbians and feminists for this task, and they let them drink and do drugs to make them more compliant.

[jackelope72]

3. Excellent book.

I read it about 6 years ago, before I became "politically aware" and was able to realize how close to reality it could come. It bears re-reading (or a first reading) especially in these times.

[skygazer]

4. Great book

I've read it a couple of times as well as some of her others. Alias Grace was very good and Oryx and Crake was excellent. She's a terrific writer with a neat mind.

[Patiod]

8. loved Alias Grace, but I couldn't finish Oryx&Crake

and I did try

[arcane1]

10. I haven't read any of her other work

I may have to check them out

thanks!

[RebelOne]

6. Read it and saw the movie.

Very good book.

[NV Whino]

7. Excellent book

Worth reading again. I'm sure I could appreciate it more these days. I love Margaret Atwood. I've read most of her stuff. I particularly like Cat's Eye. An amazing tour de force of parallel construction.

[no_hypocrisy]

13. Secret Gamebook for 2d * Administration.

[cally]

14. I think it could happen here

I've read it a few times but I should read it again. The book scares me because it seems possible.

[arcane1]

15. not 'could'.... I think it IS

:scared:

[cally]

16. Yes

This country is insane. :hi: How's life treating you?

[arcane1]

18. never been better

and looking better all the time :hi:

[LisaLynne]

17. And it's not just about the sex ...

They are executing those of "other" religions when they catch them. There are checkpoints with armed soldiers every few miles. Women are no longer allowed to read or be out on their own or work or own property. One of the first things they do is force the women out of their jobs and take away their bank accounts.

I think it's a brilliantly written book, just from a plot standpoint, but I also think it should really speak to us today, especially the exposition about how it all came about. Things started slowly. That's why the main character didn't flee with her husband right away. They thought everything was going to be alright. By the time they realized what had happened, it was too late.