The Handmaid's Tale

Editorial review

In the near-future Republic of Gilead, a fundamentalist regime has overthrown the United States and reduced fertile women to state-controlled 'Handmaids' assigned to bear children for elite households. Offred, one of those women, narrates the gradual loss of her former life and the small acts of inner resistance still available to her.

Summary

In the near-future Republic of Gilead, a fundamentalist regime has overthrown the United States and reduced fertile women to state-controlled 'Handmaids' assigned to bear children for elite households. Offred, one of those women, narrates the gradual loss of her former life and the small acts of inner resistance still available to her.

Key takeaways

• 1

  The Handmaid's Tale rewards readers who want depth as well as momentum.

• 2

  The atmosphere and prose earn a second look after the final chapter.

• 3

  A strong literary fiction discovery on Isahe.

• 4

  Isahe highlights it for balanced, premium editorial curation.