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The Handmaid's Tale

The iconic Sunday Times bestseller that inspired the hit TV series

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The Handmaid's Tale

Written by: Margaret Atwood
Narrated by: Amy Landecker, Ann Dowd, Bradley Whitford, Elisabeth Moss
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Brought to you by Penguin.

Shortlisted for Audiobook of the Year at the British Book Awards 2020.

Winner of Best Audiobook (Fiction) at the New York Festival Radio Awards 2020.

Read by Elisabeth Moss, star of the hit Channel 4 TV series.


Go back to where it all began with the dystopian novel behind the award-winning TV series.

"I believe in the resistance as I believe there can be no light without shadow; or rather, no shadow unless there is also light."

Offred is a Handmaid in The Republic of Gilead, a religious totalitarian state in what was formerly known as the United States. She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford - her assigned name, Offred, means 'of Fred'. She has only one function: to breed. If Offred refuses to enter into sexual servitude to repopulate a devastated world, she will be hanged. Yet even a repressive state cannot eradicate hope and desire. As she recalls her pre-revolution life in flashbacks, Offred must navigate through the terrifying landscape of torture and persecution in the present day, and between two men upon which her future hangs.

Masterfully conceived and executed, this haunting vision of the future places Margaret Atwood at the forefront of dystopian fiction.

'As relevant today as it was when Atwood wrote it' Guardian

'A fantastic, chilling story. And so powerfully feminist', Bernardine Evaristo, author of Girl, Woman, Other.

'A contemporary classic… the book serves as a chilling reminder of what women have experienced' Independent

©2011 O W Toad Ltd (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Classics Dystopian Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Science Fiction World Literature
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Critic Reviews

A fantastic, chilling story. And so powerfully feminist (Bernadine Evaristo, author of GIRL, WOMAN, OTHER)
Compulsively readable
Out of a narrative shadowed by terror, gleam sharp perceptions, brilliant intense images and sardonic wit
The Handmaid's Tale is both a superlative exercise in science fiction and a profoundly felt moral story (Angela Carter)
Moving, vivid and terrifying. I only hope it's not prophetic
The images of brilliant emptiness are one of the most striking aspects of this novel about totalitarian blindness...the effect is chilling
Powerful...admirable (Robert Irwin)
It's hard to believe it is 25 years since it was first published, but its freshness, its anger and its disciplined, taut prose have grown more admirable in the intervening years... Atwood's novel was an ingenious enterprise that showed, with out hysteria, the real dangers to women of closing their eyes to patriarchal oppression
Turned 25 this year and...worth re-reading. As you grow, such books grow with you
Fiercely political and bleak, yet witting and wise...this novel seems ever more vital in the present day
All stars
Most relevant
living in the 21st century, it's difficult to imagine the characters in a strong patriarchal society but Margaret Attwood does a great job of showing how much worse life could be for a woman. the book talks about a future where women have one job of reproducing and saving the world while men rule over them.
The narrator doesn't do complete justice to her role. She goes to complete whispers and then starts talking loudly making me adjust the volume at times. inspite of that, it's a good listen.

Scary almost realistic version of a crazy society

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Great world building and writing style. would recommend this to anyone interested in dystopian novels.

Great story with lot of politcal relevancy

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Good narration. It's powerful plot to keep you engaged. This story whether in print, audio or video is bound to keep you hooked. Perfect dystopia, if there is one!

Hauntingly beautiful!

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The way Margaret Atwood stretched a particular scene and gives little beats of details, it’s fabulous. Narration by elisabeth moss is outstanding

The narrative tales

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A masterpiece / mistresspiece dystopian work that's also a reminder and warning that this can happen anywhere. The absurdity and hopelessness of the events is captured wonderfully. I liked the idea of a resistance, a black market and the fact that people were questioning the regime, however strong.
Must listen not least because Elizabeth Moss adds the special touch which makes it more empathetic.

Can't wait to start 'the testaments' now

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