Although the plot of this novel, and the idea of a civilization collapsing under the weight of war and transforming into a controlled system is unique and creative, the tone and pace that this book reads with is unbearable. I understand that this piece is supposed to have a slightly depressing undertone to emphasize the monotony of the situation that plays out everyday in these handmaid's lives, but at the same time I don't think it is neccessary to pinpoint every detail and continue to talk about until it is nothing more than another meaningless object. Because the author does this it makes the reading go very slow and sluggish, there are definitely sections of the novel that keep you reading more than others, but the majority of this book is dull and I find myself tired after reading a chapter. Part of me wants to read on to see if anything more interesting will be residing in the next chapter but after a couple pages in you realize it is just the same, somewhat repetitive, depressing descriptions and guidelines (by guidelines I mean the fact that whenever Offred thinks of something she always contradricts herself and decides the smart and boring option that never leads the book anywhere). Towards the end of the reading for today, Wednesday, she did start to step out of her boundaries a little bit and the novel became a little more interesting, with her deal with the Commander and the idea of a secret society of nonbelievers, but for the most part I find it slow and not entertaining to read, not because of the story line but because of the continuous depressing mindset.
The quote on page 165 where Offred says, "A rat in a maze is free to go anywhere, as long as it stays in the maze," explains how the Commanders give these handmaid's a somewhat false scense of freedom, the freedom to wander around and get the food, but at the same time they must stay within the confines of the walls and travel with others so there can always be someone watching. This also applies to the minds of the handmaids. They are free to think as the wish as long as they stay in the boundaries, Offred knows exactyl what is acceptable and what isn't, such as no showing of emotion or connection to others and the inability to read or converse. This shows that the Commander has not only placed boundaries around their physical precence but their mental precence as well. Overall I think that the plot and idea for this book are unique but the repetitive dullness is this novel's downfall.
Yea, I agree that this book is dull and depressing. The only almost exciting part when moira escapes, but then offred slips back into depression, overthinking just about everything. I too want to read ahead to see if anything cool happens but if the rest is like the previous parts, I doubt it will
ReplyDeleteThis description captures everything that I was trying to say about this book. The only thing harde than reading a book you dont like, is spending 80% of your reading time hearing about the color of some unneccisary object with no significance or importance to anything else in the chapter or perhaps the book.
ReplyDeleteI liked the gratification of skipping the page and a half long description of the chick giving birth. Its like reading the history of Germany and skipping over the nazi stuff.
ReplyDeleteConnor,
ReplyDeleteGreat post (though, it's "Tale" not "Tail"--but we'll see that pun 'in the end'). I'm glad you can be so thoughtful about a put that you don't really enjoy (this is a good lesson in how to approach a requirement that doesn't seem immediately compelling: interrogate your own distaste, something you do well here!).