Reviews

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

emselilly's review against another edition

4.0

I need to disclaim that I barely remember reading handsmaids tale. But this was enjoyable!! Unique style of writing, pretty interesting and thought provoking especially as the US seems to become more extreme every day ... but anyway yes very good and I've been told i should watch the tv series now

stephibabes's review against another edition

5.0

I first read The Handmaid's Tale whilst deep in my PhD. I struggled to get through it, because I was out of habit of reading for pleasure. But I enjoyed it.

The Testaments, however, I was utterly captivated by. Gilead felt so vivid. So terrifyingly oppressive and brutal. Yet stoic and quiet. I loved that the story unfolded through the multiple accounts. By halfway through the book I was engrossed and looking forward to sitting down to read it at every opportunity.

As a feminist the resonance of The Testaments was uncomfortable, but I think I was driven to hope that the dystopia as a literary genre can sometimes reveal those horrors in a manner that allow for avoidance of such theocratic patriarchal totalitarian regimes. I hope that anyway. But my privilege allows it and I also know that this is not fantasy, Atwood is an incredibly shrewd and gifted writer who incorporated instances and examples couched in reality. We must all hope for more.

alzena28's review

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

stephanie6504's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

dbartelt's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

amanda_baird's review against another edition

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

sovngarde's review against another edition

4.0

So glad I read this - I was one of the few who hated Handmaids Tale and this wrapped things up way nicer. And, to be honest, was a lot less boring than it’s predecessor.

rubyp's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional reflective tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

sunseas's review against another edition

dark reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

tayvande's review against another edition

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25