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Please remember to use the spoiler function if necessary :)

Anyone started yet? Still waiting for my copy

I've read it before, so I'll probably just go back for a refresher once other people start commenting.

It'll be interesting to see what everyone else makes of the ending. I love that it's so ambiguous!

It's also possible to work out the narrator's name from the list given at the beginning. All of them are mentioned as characters but one.

It's certainly an intriguing read, and one that's still with me now even though I first read it 8 years ago.

I've started! I find that I'm very impatient to know exactly what's going on - books that start in medias res and don't explain anything make me cross! But intrigued...

Please tell me people are going to read it? There were 7 votes for this so I hope it's not just going to be Liz and I reading (if my copy ever arrives that is, otherwise it might just be Liz!)
Anyone else?

I feel like a teacher now, has everyone done their homework?! ;D

Boggles. Sorry Jo - didn´t realise this had won. On holiday at the mo, so that´s my excuse. Will deffo read it when finished my current book. ;)

I'm re-reading, it's just not in my currently reading list as I've already read it once. I'm waiting for other people to join in, so it's not just me whittering on about it by myself :)

Shall I send out a group message mebbe? Might be worth a try

I'm getting more into it, read a plot summary stupidly but it's still quite gripping.

Still waiting to get my copy! Annoyingly there are 3 copies that people have reserved and have been sat on the reserved shelf waiting to be collected for the past two weeks - if they don't want it anymore cancel the reservation! Grrrrrr

I'm a bit late, but I started it this evening and am already halfway through. I have a few issues, but it's really compelling, and I'm finding it hard to put down and go to sleep!

How's everyone getting on with it?
Mine is still sat on someone else's reserve shelf

I will get my folio copy (gorgeous) down and have a skim. I didn't vote for it but I really enjoyed reading it last year:)

My inbox is full of guff but if you haven't already sent a group message maybe send one and add it to the group reads (I joined groups when I first joined goodreads and every month I get messages telling me what they are reading). It is a great read:)

I finished it and thought it was really good. Margaret Atwood is a fantastic writer and most people agree this is one of her best. I loved the main character and it gives you lots to think about, though I'm not sure how plausible it is. I guess right wing religious extremism is quite prevalent in America so MA wanted to show us what this might look like if ever carried to the extreme. Interesting idea for the epilogue... I look forward to hearing what you all think of it.

Yeah I did send out a group email, looks like a few people are reading anyway. Don't worry about waiting for me to discuss it as it sounds like you've all found it interesting, can you just use the spoiler function if it's anything that will spoil the end for any of us behind?

Sophia wrote: "I finished it and thought it was really good. Margaret Atwood is a fantastic writer and most people agree this is one of her best. I loved the main character and it gives you lots to think about, t..."

I liked Lady Oracle just as much. Margaret Atwood writes such strong characters, I find I can easily get caught up in one of her books. I've only ever read/studied her in an academic context, though, so it's nice to take a step back from time to time and just enjoy reading for reading's sake.

I agree that The Handmaid's Tale shows a situation taken to its extreme, but the ease with which such a thing could theoretically happen (gradually, piece by piece, as it seems to in the backstory) is what I find so pervasive about it. It's a very subtle kind of horror, to my mind.

Finally picked my copy up from the library today! Hooray!

Finished! Wow, I'm a little lost for words I think. I agree one of the most horrific things about it is it seems like something that could happen, how once you start to see different groups as 'other' it's easy to dehumanise them.
I think chilling is the word I'd use, but thought provoking too.

How do you know offred's name sarah? My copy didn't have a list of names

I found it very compelling and chilling too. One thing I did find frustrating though was the lack of background, there was one 'convenient' episode in the past which allowed the rest to happen, then everything followed on seemingly quite quickly and I am not sure that rang very true for me without more explication.

Jo wrote: "Finished! Wow, I'm a little lost for words I think. I agree one of the most horrific things about it is it seems like something that could happen, how once you start to see different groups as 'oth..."

I think it's on the first page, or at least in the first chapter, that Offred gives a list of names, and then all of them are mentioned in the book except one (hers). I'll try and find the quote when I get home :)

Meant to ask, what did everyone think of Nick at the end? On Offred's side, or not? I think it's a difficult one to call...I find myself thinking about it from time to time, even though I first read the book nine or so years ago. I guess that's the mark of a good book :)

If she got to where she's supposed to have got to, then he must have been on her side? That's what I thought...

If she got to where she's supposed to have got to, then he must have been on her side? That's what I thought...

Oh yes, I see what you mean now. June is the only one not referred to again.

I thought Nick was on her side, he would have been in danger himself if anyone had found out about them. It also wouldn't have made any sense to trick her, she was going to have to go with the eyes either way.

I always like to imagine a happy ending, so definitely think he was on her side. The epilogue would suggest that too I guess.

I forgot we were reading together :o I loved it, most disturbing & thought provoking read I've had in a long time.