The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

A well-received read for those of us who met to review our March 2021 book, The Testaments by Margaret Atwood, a chilling tale of a dystopian society that oppresses women. Written as a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, 34 years later, it is also considered by many to be a response to Trump. Although there are references to its prequel the book works very well as a stand-alone. In fact, those who had read the Handmaid’s Tale had to disassociate many of the images and characters.

The setting is Gilead, a totalitarian state in which the oppression of women is described in a vivid, visual and frightening way. Atwood is brilliant at articulating the difference between thought and action. She describes so well the complexity of the women whose subterfuge resulted in overcoming the state. Surprisingly, there was humour amidst the graphically horrific descriptions of women’s capture and torture. She portrays the adolescent behaviour of Agnes, Beeka and Jade (baby Nicole), brilliantly.

There was a lively discussion about the last part of the book and some slight criticism as to whether it took a ‘Boys Own’ approach to the dramatic escape from Gilead, including high seas and rowing a boat with a broken arm! Some felt this was Atwood being ironic but there was an agreement that towards the end there was a push to tidy up all the pieces.

The group really like the use of language and the strong importance of relationships within a society, more about sisterhood than motherhood. There is excellent use of imagery, the police/security being referred to as The Eyes. Roles have a more distinctive voice than the individual in the Gilead world. The character of Aunt Lydia is so well constructed.

An excellent read, it scored 9.