Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. bookbeachbunny says

    Glad you liked the book! I’ve gone back and forth on this one. I’m re-reading the Handmaids Tale but do you think you have to watch the show to enjoy this book? Reviews seem very mixed considering all the hype it was getting.

    • eviejayne says

      Not at all! I just think she’s written the novel with the show in mind as it links nicely to where it ended. It also includes another character name that’s included in the show too, but you by no means need to have watched it to enjoy the book! I think the fact that my expectations were so high after all the hype is why I found it slightly disappointing haha

  2. Aaliyah says

    I still haven’t read The Handmaids Tale and I know I need to because I’ve heard so many good things about the book and the movie. Knowing that the first book was so good I’m definitely going to give that a read before I move to this one! Great review x

  3. Corinne ❄️ (@WhatCorinneDid) says

    I read the handmaid’s tale not so long ago and although I appreciate the messages and warning, I was also somehow disappointed. I thought there were so many plot wholes and things that didn’t make sense. However, I was quite interested by the sequel as I felt we don’t know what happened to Offred at the end. Shame it is not as good though

    • eviejayne says

      Yeah I understand why it may not be for everyone, it is quite nuanced and ambiguous. I think that’s why it’s great we have a TV adaptation to follow Offred’s journey more!

  4. Britt K says

    I have definitely been anticipating this one but haven’t had a chance to get my hands on it yet! I love that it gives such different perspectives with the wide variety of characters. That being said, I’ve also been worried about the fact that I might be building it up so much that I’m setting myself up to be disappointed, that even an incredible book isn’t going to be quite ‘good enough’ to live up to what I’m looking for lol

    • eviejayne says

      I think that’s why I was slightly disappointed haha, I set my expectations too high! That being said, I still recommend reading it because some people have loved it!

  5. Macey @ Brine and Books says

    Oof, I think that I personally wouldn’t like the “heavy-handed” nature of inserting current political conversations in the novel, but that wouldn’t necessarily put me off completely. What a shame that the younger characters had that YA tone to them! As much as I didn’t really enjoy The Handmaid’s Tale (still couldn’t put it down because it was very intriguing, and I just had to know what happened!), I think I’ll still pick this sequel up x

    • eviejayne says

      I understand why the political aspects may not being for everyone, but Atwood does insert them rather subtly at times too! Yeah I recommend still giving it a go, I know that some people have loved it! Aunt Lydia’s perspective was really enjoyable too and added a tone quite different to Offred’s perspective in The Handmaid’s Tale! x

  6. Linda I PagesandPapers says

    I only recently got around to reading it and was also left with mixed feelings. It was so unlike The Handmaid’s Tale but I still loved the idea and the writing style. What bothered me the most though was the ending. I would’ve wished it to be a bit more ambiguous and, well, less happy? All in all I’d still recommend it!

    • eviejayne says

      Yes! That’s what struck me the most too: how different it was from The Handmaid’s Tale. I also think it was written to satisfy viewers of the TV show! But same here! I’ll forever love Atwood’s work ? x

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