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char_722's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
danib11's review against another edition
4.0
The audio narration is fantastic - that bumps it up to 4. In reality this a 3 maybe 3.5 story. Enjoyable enough but not as gripping at The Handmaid’s Tale.
nana2's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
World-enhancing, question-answering, depth-creating account of 'what happened next'.
I loved this from the start. As someone who was growing up around the time The Handmaid's Tale was written, who discovered the book as a teenager and has seen as an adult dystopian fiction take off, using Atwood as a basis, then see shades of it in real life... I wanted to know what the author would say if returning to Gilead in 2019.
The TV series is its own world, much as I've enjoyed it. Though I was beyond thrilled to hear Ann Dowd's voice at the beginning returning as Aunt Lydia, it was clear who she was. And she undoubtedly IS the voice we need for this woman.
With three women continuing the story of Gilead 15 years after Offred/June's tale ended, I was hooked on hearing their accounts. The glimpses they give us of their worlds as well as their own stories were seamlessly intertwined, with each giving us a different perspective.
I don't want to go into plot at all. I've heard others say this is slow and adds nothing to the story. I didn't find this to be true at all. Each account is full of characters, interactions, plotting, scheming, Gilead in all its monstrous, binding and evil forms.
You can't read these and NOT think about certain countries, individuals and political systems in the world today. You can't believe we can let these extremes exist out there...
The three accounts begin with some mystery, though I found I knew exactly what was going on from the beginning. I loved flitting between each of the characters, watching the younger two grow up and find their own voices and minds, and seeing how the stories came together.
Full of insight, rage and fight. Thank you Ms Atwood for bringing us a conclusion and closure. We needed this.
Fantastic voice cast, well-respected and known voices as well as some new talent, a focused and intense reading of the book. Very easy to follow as an Audible read. If you've read the first, this will satisfy and answer questions.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
I loved this from the start. As someone who was growing up around the time The Handmaid's Tale was written, who discovered the book as a teenager and has seen as an adult dystopian fiction take off, using Atwood as a basis, then see shades of it in real life... I wanted to know what the author would say if returning to Gilead in 2019.
The TV series is its own world, much as I've enjoyed it. Though I was beyond thrilled to hear Ann Dowd's voice at the beginning returning as Aunt Lydia, it was clear who she was. And she undoubtedly IS the voice we need for this woman.
With three women continuing the story of Gilead 15 years after Offred/June's tale ended, I was hooked on hearing their accounts. The glimpses they give us of their worlds as well as their own stories were seamlessly intertwined, with each giving us a different perspective.
I don't want to go into plot at all. I've heard others say this is slow and adds nothing to the story. I didn't find this to be true at all. Each account is full of characters, interactions, plotting, scheming, Gilead in all its monstrous, binding and evil forms.
You can't read these and NOT think about certain countries, individuals and political systems in the world today. You can't believe we can let these extremes exist out there...
The three accounts begin with some mystery, though I found I knew exactly what was going on from the beginning. I loved flitting between each of the characters, watching the younger two grow up and find their own voices and minds, and seeing how the stories came together.
Full of insight, rage and fight. Thank you Ms Atwood for bringing us a conclusion and closure. We needed this.
Fantastic voice cast, well-respected and known voices as well as some new talent, a focused and intense reading of the book. Very easy to follow as an Audible read. If you've read the first, this will satisfy and answer questions.
With thanks to Nudge Books for providing a sample Audible copy.
alicebme's review against another edition
5.0
I always enjoy a book with female perspectives, especially from varying ages. Voices ring authentic, and Atwood gets all the bits right as usual.
They let us play the game sometimes, but we’re never permitted to win. I guess we’re just fighting for moments for ourselves, our sisters, our daughters. Just moments.
They let us play the game sometimes, but we’re never permitted to win. I guess we’re just fighting for moments for ourselves, our sisters, our daughters. Just moments.
lay_kone's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, War, Death, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Violence, Slavery, Suicide attempt, Torture, Xenophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Trafficking
denisemastenbrook's review against another edition
3.0
It's a two and a half from me. I bounced it up to a three because it's Margaret Freaking Atwood, but I almost banged it down to a two because it's Margaret Freaking Atwood and I wanted it to be more.
If you love her you are going to read this no matter what anyone says, just know that it's not The Handmaid's Tale which was excellent bordering on perfection. This is okay. And okay is okay.
If you love her you are going to read this no matter what anyone says, just know that it's not The Handmaid's Tale which was excellent bordering on perfection. This is okay. And okay is okay.
vonderbash's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, but I felt like if you haven't seen the show, you're going to be lost.
janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars because of Margaret Atwood's forever incredible writing, but otherwise probably closer to 3 stars. I didn't think this book should've been as long as it is. I got kind of bored during the last 100 pages because it seemed very formulaic in the sense that between the first book, the Hulu adaptation, and this installment, there was a pattern where people just risk breaking the shitty rules of Gilead, the audience gets anxiety about them getting caught, they either get caught or they dont, but if they do, they're severely punished, thus emphasizing the injustices and utter misogyny of the totalitarian society that is Gilead. I really was expecting June's POV to continue in this sequel, but we follow three other characters instead. There's one decent plot twist, but it wasn't too surprising, to be frank. As usual, love the super short chapters, and I have no regrets picking up this book.