Heralded as one of the most culturally relevant stories of our time, The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood tells the tale of Offred, a woman living in a frightening totalitarian theocracy.
In a society where everyone is being watched, and no one is safe, Offred remembers life before the fall of the U.S. government and the freedom she once had. Now forced to be the bearer of children for an elderly commander and his wife, Offred’s days are filled with monotony and dread. She is told her position is one of honor and privilege but struggles to adapt to her new normal.
Offred remembers the days before the totalitarian regime with fondness and distance. The days when women could hold jobs and own assets, date and choose their partners, and even speak freely amongst themselves seem distant and foreign.
This book gave me a new appreciation of the freedoms I enjoy and the opportunities that I have. It is a call to face fear, resist injustice, and make your voice heard.