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Post by Gordon on Nov 16, 2004 16:17:35 GMT
This book changed my life, I cannot imagine not having read it. I did my 5th year talk on Atwood and got ridiculed for ages because of it. However, only with her books do I actually lose myself, think about them even when I am not reading the text. I completely project myself into her books, so much so that whatever happens to the protagonist (Offred in this case), I often feel directly affected by. Only Cat's Eye and Alias Grace are as magnificent to read, but her books are essential. My English lecture today made me think about a kind of creation of people who decide what you should like and should not, and just what writers to put in what he described as a "cannon" (?). He explained how it can be alienating to be made to study books which one has no identification with. I can never understand why I have never had the chance to properly study her books, and THT in particular. But it's quite a personal novel for me, so maybe I would feel like a part of my identity was under attack. Ha! What does anyone else think of the book, and Atwood in general?
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Post by Cherubic on Nov 16, 2004 16:22:08 GMT
I thought it was a picture painted with unsubtle brushstrokes, but no less powerful because of it.
I found it frustrating (we don't find out anything that happens to anyone) but this doesn't make it a worse book.
I hated the name Offred.
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Post by Ceeb on Nov 16, 2004 19:17:56 GMT
I also found this book frustrating and tedious, although at the strange time strangly enjoyable. It takes about 3 times to read it to fully understand. The Historical notes also bring up many points, such as how Offred made the diary and how her story is be-littled by being reconstructed from a man's POV.
Having said that I got the lowest mark on my 3 AS modules on this, and even lower on the resit. For this reason only, I hate Atwood.
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Post by frap on Nov 17, 2004 18:32:16 GMT
It got me into Atwood, for which I am forever grateful. However, it's very crude compared to a masterpiece such as the Robber Bride. It can be repetitive and annoying. However, overall I like it, but A-levels forced an overanalysis that can never be unwrought.
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Post by jamie on Nov 21, 2004 13:26:16 GMT
I loved the Handmaid's Tale. It did get me into Margaret Atwood but that's my favourite of her books. And I liked not knowing exactly what happened to her at the end.
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Post by Mimternet on Aug 31, 2005 14:08:33 GMT
I think we need spoiler warnings. I know this isn't exactly a spoiler but I'm not at the end yet
I'm reading A Handmaid's Tale now and I really love it so far. Very unusual and frustrating in the sense that this could happen - not frustration with the book itself.
Sorry - Jamie
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