One of Canadian author Margaret Atwood’s best-known works, The Handmaid’s Tale is a perfect addition to a history of novels about futuristic dystopian governments and the oppression of women. Fans of Brave New World and 1984 would do well to take a look at this work, reviewed below by Hana Galal.

The Handmaid's Tale, by Margaret Atwood

Seal Books. 304 pages. €9,90 from Amazon.de

This book was written so vividly that I could clearly imagine everything that was happening. The story, the ideas behind the characters, and the theme were truly fascinating. I was captivated by this story, which is as beautifully written as other works by Atwood. I found it interesting that the story contains very little dialogue. Since Offred, the main character, narrates the whole story, the focus instead is on her mind. Even though she is physically restrained, normal and calm on the outside like everyone else, inside she is full of energy and ideas. Though her voice is constantly with the reader, her world seems quiet and lonely.

The Handmaid's Tale is the story of a slave of an important Commander. Her name is Offred; her Commander is Fred. The setting is a futuristic England where a war keeps the people subdued and scared and the government has full control of every action. Due to the declined fertility of women, a female with functioning ovaries is valued as something which every rich man should own; Offred the Handmaid is one of those women. She may not be rich like a Wife, but she has her own room, food and shelter, and few household duties. Her purpose is to become pregnant, and beyond that she is worth nothing and often fears being sent away. No one knows what happens to the woman who are sent away.

Woman are strictly forbidden to read and write; they are denied luxuries and interaction with the world outside the market place and the household. Due to this, Offred has plenty of time to think about her miserable life; the book is strikingly emotional due to the entire time the reader spends inside the head of this woman. There is a feeling of following her everywhere and being beside her in her every thought.

Offred is old enough to remember her life before the current government took over. She dreams of her husband, her child, and her freedom. She remembers a time where she didn’t need to cover her entire body outside of her home. She can even remember her real name. Through the course of the story, she discovers a secret society of women who attempt to find outside of Europe. At the same time, Offred discovers the power of a secret which breeds hope inside her.

“The memories are fading… it’s my fault. I am forgetting too much.”