The Handmaid’s Tale is the NYT Bestselling author Margaret Atwood’s debut novel, and a modern classic. The dystopian story is set in a futuristic America, which has turned into the totalitarian Republic of Gilead, and follows the life of a handmaid named Offred. 

*NOTE: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS. READ AT YOUR OWN RISK*

In this futuristic novel, the U.S. has undergone a second Civil War due to environmental disasters and declining birth rates. This creates the Republic of Gilead, a harsh totalitarian regime that oppresses the remaining fertile women — dubbing them “handmaids”– and forces them to bear children for high-ranking officials in Gilead’s society. 

The main character, Offred, is one of these Handmaids, and the book follows her day-to-day life. As the story progresses, Offred gains contact with a revolutionary group named Mayday and starts to rebel against the strict society. Eventually, at the end of the book, Mayday helps her escape from Gilead. 

Overall, I liked the book. The concept–while terrifying to think about–was captivating, and I found it hard to put down. 

One thing I liked was the writing style. Atwood uses straightforward language, which makes The Handmaid’s Tale not only easier to read, but also easier to understand, which is important when an author is trying to convey a message like the one in The Handmaid’s Tale. 

I also liked the amount of depth Atwood put into her characters. The main character obviously has the most complex background, but she fleshes out her side characters nicely, too. This is seen especially with the “villain” character, Serena Joy, as Atwood gives her ample backstory to explain why she treats Offred like she does. 

Ultimately, The Handmaid’s Tale is a well-written novel that offers a chilling yet relevant look at society (albeit dystopian), and its compelling narrative makes it a staple of modern reading.