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Jan 28, 2018jmli rated this title 3 out of 5 stars
I am honestly so torn. I hated this book, but I also loved it at the same time. What stuck out most to me is that The Handmaid's Tale is so moving, elegant yet subtle, and so relatable on a certain level. At the same time, Offred is SO real that it's haunting. And that's probably why I'm also terrified as an individual. This is the first book I've read that's really addressed all the sides to a human being. I truly connected with its message, and I am hoping to dive into some kind of follow-up. Final, few minor problems I had were the world-building and quotation marks. Sometimes, Atwood employs the use of quotation marks and sometimes, she just doesn't. I'm not sure if there's a reason, or if she just felt like it. Also, there is so much information regarding the society, but I was so curious, and I think there could've been more detail. At the same time, the transition between different time periods is difficult. I couldn't quite place my finger on whether or not the event occurring was a flashback or currently taking place. If you've seen other ratings, you'll know that The Handmaid's Tale ends on a rather open note, but I think it was pretty fulfilling and satisfying. It really depends on personal opinion, but it shouldn't be something that stops a reader from approaching this novel. It's worth it. Looking back at my 3-star rating, I think 4 to 4.5 would better fit how I really feel. But I guess this approximation is a better illustration of the complexity of The Handmaid's Tale and its true meaning.