Atwood's novel has been interesting, to say the least, so far. I enjoy the writing. In fact, the style may be my favorite part. I love how she keeps your attention by not only using interesting sentence structure, but also changes scenes quickly. I suppose this can become frustrating, but it keeps the book fresh, and makes sure the reader is truely appriciating what is happening.
Having said this, I have to admit I do not like what the story about at all, which actually marks Atwood as a skilled writer simply because she has created a world her readers do hate. I not only resent the fact that the entire world has seemed to take a large step backwards, but how women are the root of their own oppression. This is not a story about men against women, but rather older women, who are, ina sense, feminists, oppressing younger women for their own gain. And if that isn't bad enough, I hate how the oppressed are allowing this without struggle. Perhaps the struggle took place before the story began, but I sitll wish there were more attempts made. I know there are women escaping to Canada, and that a few handmaids have made thier own attempts, sometimes successfully, but I don't understand why the rest of the girls seem to go with the new norm.
The comment Offred makes about being "A rat in a maze...free to go anywhere, as long as it stays inside the maze," is actually how many people are treated until they are finnally eighteen and allowed to control their own lives. Sure, some parents have lax rules, but until that golden age, there is still bondage. As I am underage, I cannot simply get up and leave anywhere, anytime. I have to make a phonecall to my parents at least once a day to run things by them. I'm allowed to go out almost anytime I'd like, much of the time there is no problem with me going away for the weekend, and most of the time I'm not told to stay away from friends they disapprove of, but every aspect of my life is still fun through my parents. So, yes, I am free to go out, eat what I want, listen to what I want, see who I want, but only after I have been let through the gate by my parents.
Dana i totaly agree. I love this booka dn i love the style that the author writes in. And also it is true that all people are treated like this until they are 18 but even after that people still follow rules by going to college and going to all your classes. It is almost even like we are always in restriction and everyone is always folowing rules.
ReplyDeleteI disagree this book has done nothing significantly unique with the writing style and simply put drags on at a sluggish pace. Maybe she is trying to create a setting which the reader hates, or maybe she created a setting and i just hate it. The idea of birth as a resorce concept is dumb and creates no premace or plot for a book to follow.
ReplyDeleteIt's true. The society Atwood created is easily hateable. Having women scorn and look down upon eachother, almost, doesn't make sense. Shouldn't they be supportive, especially in a society like Gilead? It has its contradictions, but again, science fiction is fascinating and I like the novel.
ReplyDeleteDana,
ReplyDeleteThough Kyle seems to disagree, I am glad that you appreciate Atwood AS an author (even one who, as you rightly point out, is creating such a distasteful world populated with so many repugnant characters).
Good post! Keep reading! I'm hoping you;'ll enjoy that last half of the novel as much or more as you have the first.