My hold just came available, but I think I want to read The Handmaid's Tale again before I pick it up. And I have another book that I downloaded to my kindle and then returned (turned the wifi off), so I have to finish that before I can pick those two up. It'll probably be a week and a half or so before I finish it.
I never read The Handmaid’s Tale until now and honestly I’m not loving it as much as I thought I would. Normally I always prefer the book over the movie or TV show. But I really get annoyed with books written in the present tense, so it is making it hard to enjoy the story. I also feel like there are a lot of random phrases added in to the book that just don’t seem to fit with the story. I guess I feel like Offred is kind of all over the place in the book. I’m just a little surprised because this book doesn’t read to me like the classic that I thought it would be.
I never read The Handmaid’s Tale until now and honestly I’m not loving it as much as I thought I would. Normally I always prefer the book over the movie or TV show. But I really get annoyed with books written in the present tense, so it is making it hard to enjoy the story. I also feel like there are a lot of random phrases added in to the book that just don’t seem to fit with the story. I guess I feel like Offred is kind of all over the place in the book. I’m just a little surprised because this book doesn’t read to me like the classic that I thought it would be.
I hate Atwood’s writing style which makes it impossible for me to enjoy reading her books regardless of how good they may be.
I never read The Handmaid’s Tale until now and honestly I’m not loving it as much as I thought I would. Normally I always prefer the book over the movie or TV show. But I really get annoyed with books written in the present tense, so it is making it hard to enjoy the story. I also feel like there are a lot of random phrases added in to the book that just don’t seem to fit with the story. I guess I feel like Offred is kind of all over the place in the book. I’m just a little surprised because this book doesn’t read to me like the classic that I thought it would be.
I hate Atwood’s writing style which makes it impossible for me to enjoy reading her books regardless of how good they may be.
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Oy. This. I was an English/women’s studies major so it is surprising to me that I never *had* to read the book. I picked it up for leisure reading once and just couldn’t get into the writing. I rarely give up on a book! Maybe I need to try it again with a little perspective.
I never read The Handmaid’s Tale until now and honestly I’m not loving it as much as I thought I would. Normally I always prefer the book over the movie or TV show. But I really get annoyed with books written in the present tense, so it is making it hard to enjoy the story. I also feel like there are a lot of random phrases added in to the book that just don’t seem to fit with the story. I guess I feel like Offred is kind of all over the place in the book. I’m just a little surprised because this book doesn’t read to me like the classic that I thought it would be.
It's not the easiest style, but it's very intentional. I don't want to spoil the end for you but once you get there Is be curious to hear if you think the "all over the place" makes more sense.
I did preorder it, but haven’t started yet. I’m beginning to see some controversy over on Bookstagram regarding some problematic speech from Atwood on intersectionality, the #metoo movement and references to indigenous populations 😔
I never read The Handmaid’s Tale until now and honestly I’m not loving it as much as I thought I would. Normally I always prefer the book over the movie or TV show. But I really get annoyed with books written in the present tense, so it is making it hard to enjoy the story. I also feel like there are a lot of random phrases added in to the book that just don’t seem to fit with the story. I guess I feel like Offred is kind of all over the place in the book. I’m just a little surprised because this book doesn’t read to me like the classic that I thought it would be.
It's not the easiest style, but it's very intentional. I don't want to spoil the end for you but once you get there Is be curious to hear if you think the "all over the place" makes more sense.
It’s not that I’m having difficulty with the style. It’s more that it seems kind of careless? However, per your advice, I will withhold my judgment until the end. In contrast, I’m also currently reading The Fountainhead (another book I’ve never read until now). When I read it, it seems like Ayn Rand put so much thought and preparation into every single word in the entire book. I haven’t come across one phrase that felt sloppy or unnecessary. Reading the two books at the same time certainly highlights the contrast in styles.
It's not the easiest style, but it's very intentional. I don't want to spoil the end for you but once you get there Is be curious to hear if you think the "all over the place" makes more sense.
It’s not that I’m having difficulty with the style. It’s more that it seems kind of careless? However, per your advice, I will withhold my judgment until the end. In contrast, I’m also currently reading The Fountainhead (another book I’ve never read until now). When I read it, it seems like Ayn Rand put so much thought and preparation into every single word in the entire book. I haven’t come across one phrase that felt sloppy or unnecessary. Reading the two books at the same time certainly highlights the contrast in styles.
And you might still end up not liking it! But you will understand more.
I liked The Fountainhead at first - I agree it is well-written - but Rand's politics got to me in the end.
Is The Testaments written stream of consciousness style like The Handmaid's Tale is? I've been debating reading it because I'm sitting next to the others who really can't stand her writing style, and I especially hated it in The Handmaid's Tale (although I do really love the show). I've muddled through some of Atwood's other books (most recently The Stone Mattress - a collection of short stories) but I'm just generally not a fan. But I am curious.
It’s not that I’m having difficulty with the style. It’s more that it seems kind of careless? However, per your advice, I will withhold my judgment until the end. In contrast, I’m also currently reading The Fountainhead (another book I’ve never read until now). When I read it, it seems like Ayn Rand put so much thought and preparation into every single word in the entire book. I haven’t come across one phrase that felt sloppy or unnecessary. Reading the two books at the same time certainly highlights the contrast in styles.
And you might still end up not liking it! But you will understand more.
I liked The Fountainhead at first - I agree it is well-written - but Rand's politics got to me in the end.
Ha! I finished the book. I get it now. I was not expecting the twist. And funny enough, my kindle cut off the book right after Offred’s tale ended and said I was done, so I almost didn’t even read the rest. I just noticed that I still had 5% left and clicked back into it. I think I became more used to the style as I got further through the story, and the ending made me like the book more overall. Does Atwood regularly use these types of tricks in her writing? I like twists like this and I may be more inclined to work through another of her stories with the understanding that it might all come together in the end.
And you might still end up not liking it! But you will understand more.
I liked The Fountainhead at first - I agree it is well-written - but Rand's politics got to me in the end.
Ha! I finished the book. I get it now. I was not expecting the twist. And funny enough, my kindle cut off the book right after Offred’s tale ended and said I was done, so I almost didn’t even read the rest. I just noticed that I still had 5% left and clicked back into it. I think I became more used to the style as I got further through the story, and the ending made me like the book more overall. Does Atwood regularly use these types of tricks in her writing? I like twists like this and I may be more inclined to work through another of her stories with the understanding that it might all come together in the end.
Glad you finished! But annoying that Kindle tells people they're done at the end of Offred's story, since the rest is pretty important.
I would say that Atwood often writes in a way that you don't get the whole story in a linear fashion. Handmaid's Tale might be the most extreme example. Her writing isn't always easy. If you want to try others, Oryx and Crake and The Penelopiad are probably my next two favorite. I know lots of people hate Oryx, though; it's polarizing.
Ha! I finished the book. I get it now. I was not expecting the twist. And funny enough, my kindle cut off the book right after Offred’s tale ended and said I was done, so I almost didn’t even read the rest. I just noticed that I still had 5% left and clicked back into it. I think I became more used to the style as I got further through the story, and the ending made me like the book more overall. Does Atwood regularly use these types of tricks in her writing? I like twists like this and I may be more inclined to work through another of her stories with the understanding that it might all come together in the end.
Glad you finished! But annoying that Kindle tells people they're done at the end of Offred's story, since the rest is pretty important.
I would say that Atwood often writes in a way that you don't get the whole story in a linear fashion. Handmaid's Tale might be the most extreme example. Her writing isn't always easy. If you want to try others, Oryx and Crake and The Penelopiad are probably my next two favorite. I know lots of people hate Oryx, though; it's polarizing.
On the topic of Oryx and Crake: the end is sloppy and rushed, at best. It's just lazy.
She created a world, and told a story 75% of the way. It's like her publisher put her on a deadline she wasn't expecting so she slapped a few bits together that didn't answer any questions nor wrap up the current tale. Had the ending been like the rest of it it would have been great!
Glad you finished! But annoying that Kindle tells people they're done at the end of Offred's story, since the rest is pretty important.
I would say that Atwood often writes in a way that you don't get the whole story in a linear fashion. Handmaid's Tale might be the most extreme example. Her writing isn't always easy. If you want to try others, Oryx and Crake and The Penelopiad are probably my next two favorite. I know lots of people hate Oryx, though; it's polarizing.
On the topic of Oryx and Crake: the end is sloppy and rushed, at best. It's just lazy.
She created a world, and told a story 75% of the way. It's like her publisher put her on a deadline she wasn't expecting so she slapped a few bits together that didn't answer any questions nor wrap up the current tale. Had the ending been like the rest of it it would have been great!
Also related: I was in Namibia a few months ago and there were Oryx everywhere, including being farmed for food. I did try some but I couldn't feel right about it after that book!
Post by irishbride2 on Sept 15, 2019 9:49:14 GMT -5
Spoilers
I liked it, but I don't like making Aunt Lydia seem less evil. Yes, things are complicated and she very well may have been forced into this life to some degree, but she is evil.
Post by LoveTrains on Sept 24, 2019 6:31:54 GMT -5
I read it last week. I read the whole thing snd I’m confused as I didn’t see anything about an offred’s tale? Was the symposium stuff the end? On my kindle version there was the statue/symposium stuff st the end and then a thank you page. That thank you Page was the last page (421).
It was clearly tied to the series. I’m not sure how I feel about that - but I know Margaret Atwood has been working with them on the series. If anything it gives some clues as to what will happen in the show.
I think it was interesting to see Lydia’s backstory. I don’t think it makes her less evil but it helps make you understand why she did what she did. It’s like how normal people could become Nazis. That doesn’t excuse their horrendous and egregious actions - and they are still culpable and evil - it shows the evolution of it.