The Handmaid's Tale, anyone?

November 16, 2016 4:20 PM

In light of recent events, I've been rereading The Handmaid's Tale. I'd love to discuss it here. Is anyone else interested?
posted by SisterHavana (14 comments total)

I've been talking for a week straight about how I need to read this book again, even though I've read it twice in the last 3 years. I mean heck, yesterday morning I changed my facebook cover photo to this. One of my favorite books, and probably the only piece of fiction that's ever truly scared me.

I'd be down for holding each other and crying a fanfare post.

Also super timely because there'll be that miniseries coming out soon.
posted by phunniemee at 4:22 PM on November 17, 2016

Yes, I read it (for the first time, believe it or not) within the last 5 years or so, and pretty much since I finished it, I've wanted to read it again, so no time like the present before it gets banned and then returns as an instruction manual
posted by MCMikeNamara at 2:38 PM on November 18, 2016 [2 favorites]

Yes please! I've read it many many times but probably not in the last decade. Good opportunity to pick it up again.

The last paragraph of the epilogue is probably one of my favourite things I've ever read ("We may call Eurydice forth from the grave...")
posted by prettypretty at 5:31 PM on November 18, 2016

I don't know if my heart can take it after this last week, but I'm willing to try.
posted by gatorae at 9:12 PM on November 18, 2016

Yes, please.
posted by MonkeyToes at 5:02 PM on November 20, 2016

Could this be part of a "series" of sorts here on Fanfare where we read a bunch of post-Trump books? There have been a lot of AskMes in the subject in the last week, as well as that Intersectionality Syllabus thing that has been going around Facebook. I'd be interested in educating/preparing myself in this way.
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:12 PM on November 20, 2016 [8 favorites]

NB: I would be willing to plan the book series here on Fanfare, make posts, etc.
posted by chainsofreedom at 6:58 AM on November 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

I'd also definitely participate. I had started reading it earlier this spring, but it got a bit too real and painful. I think I deserve it to myself to finish it this time.
posted by crossswords at 10:44 AM on November 21, 2016

I'm interested, in both this and any potential series/club of similar reading this might inspire.
posted by mixedmetaphors at 3:03 PM on November 21, 2016 [1 favorite]

I just finished it last week. Excellent timing - looks like it's a pretty common thought!
posted by absalom at 8:04 PM on November 24, 2016

I'd participate.
posted by latkes at 7:50 AM on December 27, 2016

Ok, I have finally gotten my feet under me on this. I've made a list of 20 books, which I heavily took from LitHub, that we could possibly read for this book club. I tried to make it as diverse as possible as to topic, author, and fiction/nonfiction. Take a look, add on, and let me know your thoughts on reading order and suitability! Handmaid's Tale will definitely be first.

Here's the starting list.
posted by chainsofreedom at 9:34 AM on February 7, 2017 [5 favorites]

Ok! I was thinking of putting up the first post in this club (Handmaid's Tale) on February 22nd - everyone good with taking the next 2 weeks or so to read/re-read/brush up on this book?
posted by chainsofreedom at 7:17 AM on February 8, 2017

Here's the club, btw.
posted by chainsofreedom at 7:21 AM on February 8, 2017 [1 favorite]