Handmaid's Tale-Reaction

The Handmaid's Tale was one of more controversial books that I have read in school. Atwood was not afraid to express any emotion or act that her characters may experience. I appreciated her bluntness and realness to approaching such serious matters, and as high school students, it was refreshing to read a novel that was not fearful of stepping outside the boundaries. Although certain scenes and events that Offred had to endure were explicit and intense, it was genuine in Atwood's writing.
We have read many books so far this year that fall under the category of sci-fi, and that have the government going completely awry upon its citizens. However, Atwood presents this topic in a manner that lets you see inside the mind of a person being directly affected by it, and that did experience a life that was once good and possessed freedoms.
I liked this book because it was taking place in a time where its general, young public practiced the same freedoms that we have, and are now forced to live a life full of restrictions, codes, and titles. And depending on the person's label, directly affects their status in life. The Handmaid's Tale is even more frightening due to the fact that their new society is not far into the future, and these changes happened quite suddenly. Because of the abruptness that these adjustments occurred, it makes us wonder if the Republic of Gilead would be able to take over in our own society.