Currently Binging {Handmaid’s Tale}

Earlier this Spring  I shared my thoughts on The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.  I found the book sad and horrifying and it made me angry.  So, not a glowing review, but I can’t think of any other way to describe it.  Is it worth reading once?  Yes.

Well, I started The Handmaid’s Tale on Hulu in the spring and finally finished up season 2.  Since the Hulu description is lacking, here is the book synopsis.

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable.

Offred can remember the days before, when she lived and made love with her husband Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now….

Funny, unexpected, horrifying, and altogether convincing, The Handmaid’s Tale is at once scathing satire, dire warning, and literary tour de force.

Like the book, the series is dark and dystopian in genre and, while I usually like that type of book, this one is particularly disturbing.  First, because I am a women and I have children.  Second, because I see some major chinks in the armor of society, and I can see how small changes at first for the “good” of society can lead to widespread terror over time.  It’s happened before, and it’s just that which makes the book and series so terrifying.  If you generally like light hearted drama or romance or comedy, this show is not for you.  I can’t say I’m excited for season 3 but rather I just want to see what happens next.  If you have read the book, episode 1 season 1 pretty much ends there so everything after is new content.

If you’ve watched it, I’d love to know your thoughts!  We’ve just started Ozark based on all of your recommendations when I asked after Sharp Objects.  It’s really good and Honey and I are both enjoying it.

DIXIE DELIGHTS DELIVERED

| Filed under Uncategorized | Tags:

6 thoughts on “Currently Binging {Handmaid’s Tale}

  1. I didn’t love the book but they’ve done an amazing job with the series!!! Much like 13 Reasons Why, I think everyone of a certain age should have to watch it as a cautionary tale!

  2. I love this series, but like you, it doesn’t make me feel great. I think that it is actually a good thing since it causes a lot of reflection about how small things that seem insignificant can lead to loss of freedom and individuality. I actually have to watch this show little bits at a time or it really affects me (bad dreams, anxiety, etc). All that being said, I do think it is important to read/watch things like this (as well as novels like 1984). It might seem far fetched but it has happened in recent history in other parts of the world!!

  3. I love it and can’t wait for next season. Lots of lessons in this show! It is something about cooking a frog…you never start with boiling water and he happily offers himself up to the tepid water which as some point becomes so hot that he cannot survive or escape. I think HULU did a great job on keeping it in line with the book.

    We also watched Sharp Objects and SAFE on Netflix is really good (a Harlan Coben story). Just started Ozark but only 1st episode. I couldn’t get into Breaking Bad and that is what people compare Ozark to so we’ll see.

  4. It is horrifying and haunting. I have enjoyed the series but didn’t care too much for the book. I will be anxious to see where Season 3 takes us. Also-a cute series is Anne with an E….if you haven’t already seen it.

  5. I love the series despite the horrifying aspect of what is portrayed. I think it is very well done with solid acting and a script that keeps you wanting more. I just requested the book from my library because I figured I should read it to since I enjoy the series so much. It definitely makes me stop and think about what is happening or could happen in the world around me.

  6. I HATED the book…in a can’t put it down kind of way. I needed a real ending instead of just ending.

    Have you watched Jack Ryan on Amazon? It’s one of the few that my husband and I both liked.

Leave a Reply to Nana Diana Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *