The story is well known by now. In fact, there is a TV series based on the book which has won some awards and got people talking. I don’t have anything to add that would spoil the story for someone who has yet to read it.
High level, the setting is after the 2nd civil war in what was formerly the US. Exactly where is unknown (at least I could not figure out, I think maybe northeast by not even sure why). The story is about class – stations in life and what once was … are things better after the war? Depends on who you ask. Women are treated despicably which is why I will never watch the show.
One thing to read about horrors and visualize in my minds eye but watching someone else’s cinematic version is quite another thing. Still I read as I have always been drawn to dystopian fiction. To me, there is no better escape than a departure from “real” life. I’m boring and mundane. Stories like these take me away and let my imagination go. Makes me feel better about my own reality because for whatever it is worth, it is not like that.
If this genre is your cuppa tea, you’ll likely enjoy. I rated 4 of 5 stars on Goodreads. The overall rating by the masses is 4.09.
As always, more to come.
J-Dub's Grin and Bear It 
I LOVE THAT BOOK. It affected me so deeply, it’s one of them that stuck with me forever. I’m a fan of Atwood’s work in general, but that one, oooh, one of my top 100. I’m nervous about the show. Maybe when it’s concluded. I do hate to be interrupted in my binge.
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I’ve avoided the show but that clip Willow shared has me changing my mind.
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Oh…my, I lead such a sheltered life. As I read your post and all of the comments, you’ve all made me want to add the book and the show to my ‘to do once’ list!
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I think you will enjoy it even as dark as it is … if you like dystopian fiction.
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I appreciate your thoughts and recommendations!
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Its on the list of books to read, my wide and I binged on the tv series earlier this year, it is absolutely shockingly extreme. Women are treated abysmally but I think its also about survival and hope in diabolical situations, it makes the women look like heroins and the guys like total twats. Give it a watch from behind the sofa.
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I’ll give it a try.
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Fabulous book, great TV adaptation, try to watch you will be surprised. They throw in music clips that make you want to punch the air.
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Very cool clip. Perhaps I should give it a try after all.
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It is very harsh but I can’t recommend it enough 💜
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I enjoyed it too. Don’t remember my rating, but there were a few things that annoyed me about it, so I may not have given it a 5-star.
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