The Worm Reviews

Out on Hulu currently is a series based on the Margaret Atwood book, The Handmaid's Tale. I read this book a few month's ago, prior to know of the existence of the series. I have watched one episode so far and was not disappointed at all. But this review is not about the series, it is about the book itself. The Handmaid's Tale is set in a near dystopian future in New England. Christian fundamentalists rule and women's role has been relegated to positions such as the handmaids, used for breeding in a society where birthrate has plummeted. I decided to read this book because it kept appearing a several must read lists. I decided a few years ago to read more of the classics and despite this books being written in 1985, it definitely qualifies as a classic. I have to point out that the book did not grab my attention at first. This is not because it isn't well written or entertaining. The book is written in a style I had never experienced before. Once I understood the writing style, it was easy to get into. To save others, the style is written from the perspective of the main character, but it is her written thoughts and memories. Periodically I would find myself questioning parts that seemed vague. but the author, somehow anticipated this and all questions I had were answered later in the book. The story itself centers on Offred, the Handmaid who belongs to a man known as the Commander. Handmaids are not allowed to use their birth names, instead they are referred to who possesses them, in this instance it means Of Fred or belonging to Fred. These Handmaids, and others not in positions of power are forbidden reading of any kind and punishments are dealt out for minor offenses such as displays of emotion. One can't help but think of North Korean society under the rule of the Kim family. Offred shares memories of her earlier life, before her forced servitude which helps paint a picture for the reader of the past life she had and how the society she now lives in came about. There are still questions that remain unanswered and this is one of the things I appreciate most about this book. Those moments of ambiguity allow the reader to use their imagination. This unfortunately does not continue to the end of the book. The ending of the story leaves the reader asking themselves "So what happened?" And this is how the book should end. We the reader need to be left wondering, its what makes the story work. However there is an epilogue which answers that question for us and in my opinion, cuts the entire tale short by cheating us of that wonder. Despite my thoughts on the end, this is a must read book. And for those that have watched the series but not read it, from what little I have seen, neither will ruin the other for you.