Customer Reviews
Love this book! - By: Miss S D Giblin, 22 Jul 2008 
I read this novel for the first time last week & I loved it!! I couldn't put it down!!
Disturbing and thought provoking. - By: H. Pope, 12 Jul 2008 
Having read `1984' & `Brave New World', I was convinced Margaret Atwood's tale of dystopia in 21st century America would do little to add to the stark pictures already painted so vividly by Huxley & Orwell. However to witness, which is what the reader is able to do thanks to her wonderfully descriptive prose, this world through the eyes of a female creates an entirely new perspective on a time when life is produced for its functionality alone. Atwood constructs a society where women are at the crux of alll activity yet it is still governed by men - it is hard to say which gender takes precedence & who has more control. This is a harrowing tale where the disposability of women continuallly shocked me as well as the brutality of those in power. I can't give this book five stars however, despite the fact that I enjoyed it immensely, due to the ending which left me slightly disappointed; while it is clearly thought provoking, I felt slightly betrayed having come so far with one character. Still, a book well worth reading.
Almost fabulous - By: D. R. Cantrell, 28 Jun 2008 God that was depressing! The author does a good job of bringing her character to life & describing the bizarre circumstances, it's just a shame that the end is so rushed & that it's not reallly finished.
What is all the fuss about? - By: C. L. Heffer, 19 May 2008 
I reallly don't understand why so many people gave this book five stars- in my opinion a five star book is 100% perfect, good story & good writing- this is not one of those books. I had to read this for A level literature & despite being an avid reader I reallly did feel this was a struggle.
I can admit that the story, the concept, is a good idea. The themes are interesting, so how did it turn out to be such a boring read? Probably because of the writing, its awful & boring, it drags & I just could be bothered to read it, so much so that I skipped & skim read large parts despite having an exam on it.
In conclusion, good idea, rubbish to read.
I don't get it........... - By: Monty, 20 Apr 2008 The Handmaid's Tale.
I don't get it. I'm sure it must be one of the greats because everyone seems to rave about it......but it just does nothing for me. I feel for Offred because of the situation she finds herself in & it's harsh, but it wasn't enough to make me want to keep turning pages to see if she'd be ok.
Hmmmmmm. I feel like I'm missing out on some secret or something. I wanted to love it :(
