The Handmaid's Tale Discussion Thread

[elysepopplewell]

Who's read the book? Who's seen the TV series? Tell me your thoughts...

I'm obsessed with both the novel and the TV series, and want to share some ideas with other ANers who enjoy it too (or alternatively, didn't enjoy it. Although that would be odd and I'm thinking you probably watched the wrong series )

[K888]

Have watched the series, the book is on my to-read list

Honestly, a very well done TV series. A bit different to what I usually watch, but I really liked it. And I'm pretty sure I've told every single person I've spoken to in the past few weeks to watch it haha

At times though, it honestly got a bit scary, because I started to imagine what that reality would be like. Not being allowed to read or write, not being allowed to speak freely, being totally subservient - as a female, that was incredibly unsettling (as I'm sure all the guys found it unsettling, too).

[Coffee]

^I'm the opposite, I've read the book but I haven't seen the series yet.

At times though, it honestly got a bit scary, because I started to imagine what that reality would be like. Not being allowed to read or write, not being allowed to speak freely, being totally subservient - as a female, that was incredibly unsettling (as I'm sure all the guys found it unsettling, too).

+1

I really, really enjoyed it. I found it completely fascinating and equally disturbing.

[Shadowxo]

(Mini post)
Your post made me look it up. Looks interesting, I'm going to watch it (love dystopian books/movies)
Edit:
Watched the first 2 episodes. I think they showed the oppression very well, with her thoughts contrasting with her words, unable to even have the freedom of speech. Their garments are very informative too, with their headpieces representing their isolation and how they aren't viewed by others as people. It's both dark yet well written and intriguing. I don't know if anyone's happy in their position and they also show how fear can lead to isolation but not complete control. I like it so far

[amigos]

Haven't read the book or watched the series yet, but the plot and costumes (especially when there's multiple people wearing them together) sound and look pretty cool. Heard about it through an article about women right activists wearing the costumes at protests in the States.

[elysepopplewell]

This post might contain spoilers but nothing too harmful lol
Yay! Blessed be the fruit, everyone

Sooo...the novel is my favourite book ever and I think the series was excellent. I did find it interesting that the series ended with the exact scene that the novel ends with, even though the second series will likely address a lot of the things that the novel addressed but season one didn't.

Also, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TIMING OF THIS!!! Sperm count of Western Men has halved in the last 40 years! The TV series places a firmer stress on the environmental issues of pre Republic of Gillead than I remember being in the novel. But I just can't help but think this is incredibly timely. Even though Atwood wrote her novel last century, I think the prophetic nature of her book shouldn't be mocked. Perhaps naively, I watched the series thinking about fertility being affected by environmental factors and thought "mmm...well that will happen the more we poison the world. But it's a while off." Then I see this all over the news yesterday...apparently not!

Also, I think the original Ofglen is a very mediocre actor in The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants but I think she's superb in this.

[K888]

Also, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE TIMING OF THIS!!! Sperm count of Western Men has halved in the last 40 years! The TV series places a firmer stress on the environmental issues of pre Republic of Gillead than I remember being in the novel. But I just can't help but think this is incredibly timely. Even though Atwood wrote her novel last century, I think the prophetic nature of her book shouldn't be mocked. Perhaps naively, I watched the series thinking about fertility being affected by environmental factors and thought "mmm...well that will happen the more we poison the world. But it's a while off." Then I see this all over the news yesterday...apparently not!

Interesting! Admittedly, the following paragraph(s) won't really be related to the Handmaid's Tale so it's in a spoiler

Off-topic

I think a lot of this is to do with the big increase in lifestyle diseases across the population. We see this increase primarily in Western populations.
Actually had a lecture about this on Tuesday that, although admittedly it didn't address infertility, it looked at certain healthy behaviours in men that have been shown to significantly improve risk of developing things such as diabetes, vascular disease, etc. and how such a low percentage follow even a few of the behaviours.
Realistically, so many things can affect your fertility - obesity, smoking, drug and alcohol use, STDs - the list goes on and on. Plus, there's environmental factors, and all of the other determinants of health

Timing is quite spooky though.

[Mary_a]

I absolutely loved reading the book! I am yet to watch the series, waiting for trials to be over first! I'm glad that it's getting good reviews, wouldn't want the show to ruin the novel. The actress who plays Ofglen is Alexis Bledel from Gilmore Girls-which is my favourite show. So looking forward to it!

[elysepopplewell]

I absolutely loved reading the book! I am yet to watch the series, waiting for trials to be over first! I'm glad that it's getting good reviews, wouldn't want the show to ruin the novel. The actress who plays Ofglen is Alexis Bledel from Gilmore Girls-which is my favourite show. So looking forward to it!

See, at first I even didn't like her acting in Gilmore Girls, but I'm on Season 2 now of GG and I'm liking her more

Interesting! Admittedly, the following paragraph(s) won't really be related to the Handmaid's Tale so it's in a spoiler

Off-topic

I think a lot of this is to do with the big increase in lifestyle diseases across the population. We see this increase primarily in Western populations.
Actually had a lecture about this on Tuesday that, although admittedly it didn't address infertility, it looked at certain healthy behaviours in men that have been shown to significantly improve risk of developing things such as diabetes, vascular disease, etc. and how such a low percentage follow even a few of the behaviours.
Realistically, so many things can affect your fertility - obesity, smoking, drug and alcohol use, STDs - the list goes on and on. Plus, there's environmental factors, and all of the other determinants of health

Timing is quite spooky though.

See, that's exactly it. We can look at the Handmaid's Tale like it's a cult, but we can also look at it like hey, let's take a look at behaviours and patterns that COULD get us into this predicament, although one hopes it will never be this extreme.

[lilyrosee]

So glad I was directed to this thread! I absolutely love both the book and the TV series. I have been listening to the soundtrack non-stop for a month 

[elysepopplewell]

So glad I was directed to this thread! I absolutely love both the book and the TV series. I have been listening to the soundtrack non-stop for a month 

Are you happy with the way that the TV series portrayed the novel? I certainly am. Also, I was speaking with Emily Tyrrell the other day about how I seemed to think environmental issues came up more in the TV series than it did in the novel - perhaps a reflection of the times. But I last read the Handmaid's Tale 4 years ago now! So my memory isn't so good.

[lilyrosee]

Are you happy with the way that the TV series portrayed the novel? I certainly am. Also, I was speaking with Emily Tyrrell the other day about how I seemed to think environmental issues came up more in the TV series than it did in the novel - perhaps a reflection of the times. But I last read the Handmaid's Tale 4 years ago now! So my memory isn't so good.

I was very happy with how the TV show adapted the book. I haven't read the book for a while either - it is on my to read list for when I finish exams!

[elysepopplewell]

I was very happy with how the TV show adapted the book. I haven't read the book for a while either - it is on my to read list for when I finish exams!

I saw in an interview with the main actress that they are "pushing boundaries" in the next series - like they weren't already???

I think there's a lot for everyone in the TV series. I showed the series to a man, and the main thing he took from it was the pursuit of these measures in developing countries with decreasing birth rates like Mexico. I showed my sister, and she took it to be government control is dangerous and can happen right under our noses.

I think I'm going to watch it again when uni is over shortly! And maybe read it again too!

[sweetiepi]

I haven't watced the series, but I'm picking up a copy of it tomorrow from the library! Will provide my thoughts when I finish it

[lilyrosee]

I haven't watced the series, but I'm picking up a copy of it tomorrow from the library! Will provide my thoughts when I finish it

Yay! I hope you enjoy both the book and the show!