I’m Booked: “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “The Testaments”
Written by Ally Abruscato. Graphic by Anna Porter.
In 1985, “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a harrowing dystopian novel about women being treated as objects, was released. Margaret Atwood continued the story of Gilead and its abused women in 2019 when she wrote “The Testaments.” Today, Atwood’s work is being banned across the United States, proving that the points made in these books are still extremely relevant today.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” tells the story of Offred, a Handmaid in Gilead, a dystopian society that arose in the United States after pollution and an atomic war led to a fertility crisis. Handmaids are fertile women who are used by the wealthy families of Gilead to produce children. The women of Gilead have no rights as they are not taught how to read, cannot make their own money and are forced to carry the child of their Commander, the rich patriarch of the household.
While “The Handmaid’s Tale” received high praise for years after its conception, “The Testaments” received more backlash from the fans of the original. Some argued that the continuation of the story was unnecessary, but I still found it entertaining and insightful. Both books are definitely a product of their time. “The Handmaid’s Tale” is slower and more focused on world building, while “The Testaments” is a fast-paced, plot heavy book. I appreciate both and still recommend readers pick up the pair. “The Handmaid’s Tale” show began in 2017 and ran five seasons with star Elizabeth Moss. Although it ended up straying from Atwood’s depiction, it had a large following and received multiple Emmy awards.
Almost 40 years after its original publishing, why do we keep coming back to “The Handmaid’s Tale?” Although the structure of Gilead seems absurd and impossible, it teaches some important lessons on the patriarchy and the possibilities of abuse of power. The government controlling women’s bodies is something we understand all too well. As Atwood wrote, “Better never means better for everyone… It always means worse, for some.”
Since reading “The Handmaid’s Tale” in high school, Atwood has become one of my favorite authors. Her detailed depiction of Gilead and its structure create a realistic look into this dystopian world. Her writing is thoughtful yet digestible for all kinds of readers. I highly recommend Atwood’s work, especially “The Handmaid’s Tale” to everyone in the United States.
I’ll be back soon with another book review, but until then, I’m Booked.
As Editor-in-Chief, Ally Abruscato leads and supports a talented group of staff and contributors in pursuing their creative endeavors. At SCAD, Ally majors in Photography and minors in Advertising & Branding. She regularly offers pop culture insights through movie reviews, articles and her weekly column, “I’m Booked.” When she’s not writing or taking photos, Ally’s probably outside, reading or running.
