The Handmaid's Tale is a dystopian novel written by Margaret Atwood, published in 1985. It explores the themes of women in subjugation in a patriarchal society, and the various means by which these women attempt to gain individualism and independence.
The book depicts the story of Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead—a totalitarian and theocratic state that has replaced the United States of America. It follows her journey as she struggles to survive in a time where women posses few rights, are not allowed to read and write, are used as breeding vessels for the elitists.
Margaret Atwood as an Aunt and Elisabeth Moss as Offred in season 1 of The Handmaid’s Tale. Image © Channel 4 / MGMM
Atwood's novel offers a satirical view of various social, political, and religious trends of the 1980s in United States. It's critical success has led to making the novel a part of the academia to study feminism, and adapted in numerous films, screenplays, and television series. In 2017, Hulu produced a television series based on the novel, starring Elisabeth Moss as Offred.
The Handmaid's Tale is available for purchase at Amazon, Book Depository, and Fully Booked.
