The Testaments

From Goodreads:

More than fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, the theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead maintains its grip on power, but there are signs it is beginning to rot from within. At this crucial moment, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results.

Two have grown up as part of the first generation to come of age in the new order. The testimonies of these two young women are joined by a third voice: a woman who wields power through the ruthless accumulation and deployment of secrets.

As Atwood unfolds The Testaments, she opens up the innermost workings of Gilead as each woman is forced to come to terms with who she is, and how far she will go for what she believes.

I posted this with Blythe, aka the character of mine most likely to dig living in Gilead #yolo

Essentially, this is a "sequel" to The Handmaid's Tale, but follows three new narrators—Offred is altogether absent, having stepped "up, into the darkness within, or else the light" and out of the spotlight. Note that it is their voices that are new; we may have seen some of them before! Ostensibly, it takes place 15 years after the first novel, but I ALWAYS spot inconsistencies—which I'll note when I get into my actual thoughts.

Though no knowledge of the TV show is required, both Agnes and Baby Nichole will be better understood by those who have seen the second season.

General Questions:
— Atwood stated that "...Everything you’ve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything! The other inspiration is the world we’ve been living in." In what ways do you see our world represented in Gilead, and how does that make you feel?
— The novel itself: necessary, nice, or a cash cow, given the success of the TV show?
— Which narrator resonated the most with you? The least?

Spoilery Questions: (Wait 'til you've finished reading!)

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— Was it just me, or did the happy family scene—both at the end of the testimonies and in the inscription on the statue during the thirteenth symposium seem entirely contrived and undercut the authenticity of the story? >.>
— BECKA DID NOT NEED TO DIE GDI this is the hill I am going to die on. Discuss.

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This is a discussion thread for people who have read or are reading the book in question. With that in mind, there are likely to be spoilers throughout. However, in the event of major twists or “how it ends”, please wrap content in spoiler tags.

Please note that information from The Handmaid's Tale (book & season one of the TV show) may go untagged—reader beware!

Code:

[spoiler]Surprise!content here[/spoiler]

  

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Are You a Believer? † Join the Faithful!

— graphics by rune ❤ —

For me it does feel like the author's statement is fairly accurate in terms of closeness or current reality. Another book that hits pretty close to my 'worst case scenario of the future' images is Vox by Christina Dalcher. I highly recommend that if you like these sort of intense, 'makes you think about the world' books. As for how exactly it feels like a reflection of what our current world events, it makes me think of more extremist views and how those with certain views who do not prefer how the world is changing out of their favor, and this is how I am scared they may react if given the right motivation.

Necessary to a certain extent. I have always wanted to know of the fall of Gilead, and how long the empire lasted. Seeing the country further developed and through the eyes of both one raised in Gilead and one on the outside. A nice bonus was seeing the views of a leader in the country and the inner workings in better detail. I do hope Hulu follows up with this, and we are provided with even more sides to the story. Perhaps more of a look into Judd?

I could most relate to our dear Nicole. Being one to feel very uncomfortable with the structure of Gilead and their views, and having a lack of ability to adapting to said structure. I am also a picky eater.

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The endings felt unfulfilled for me. While sweet and it made me feel all cuddly and happy, it felt like it left us a bit empty as to what happens next. I know a book has to end, but an aftermath overview could have been fuller.

She definitely did not deserve to die. It felt unnecessary. But then again, many deaths of Gilead were unnecessary. To the plot, however, this felt more so.

  

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Magic by Elaine!

Another book that hits pretty close to my 'worst case scenario of the future' images is Vox by Christina Dalcher. I highly recommend that if you like these sort of intense, 'makes you think about the world' books. As for how exactly it feels like a reflection of what our current world events, it makes me think of more extremist views and how those with certain views who do not prefer how the world is changing out of their favor, and this is how I am scared they may react if given the right motivation.

Vox is fantastic and you should definitely start a thread for it.

  

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— graphics by mj ❤ —

Another book that hits pretty close to my 'worst case scenario of the future' images is Vox by Christina Dalcher. I highly recommend that if you like these sort of intense, 'makes you think about the world' books. As for how exactly it feels like a reflection of what our current world events, it makes me think of more extremist views and how those with certain views who do not prefer how the world is changing out of their favor, and this is how I am scared they may react if given the right motivation.

Vox is fantastic and you should definitely start a thread for it.

  

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— graphics by mj ❤ —