Review: Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood

Image via Wikipedia

Paperback: 311 pages
Publisher: Anchor; 1st Anchor Books edition (March 16, 1998)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 038549081X
ISBN-13: 978-0385490818
Target group: adults
Genre: dystopia



Synopsis:

Welcome to the near future. Protestant fundamentalists have taken over the US government and created the Republic of Gilead. The new Republic faces many problems but the most keenly felt issue concerns reproduction. Pollution and nuclear accidents have left many people sterile so men and women who can still conceive are the utter luxury. Eventually, the government declare all second marriages invalid and all fertile wives of these marriages are subject to deportation or to service as Handmaids. Handmaids are forced to couple (you can’t call that sex) once a month with aristocratic men with the aim of continuing the race and to give birth to as many children as possible. If they don’t conceive with their first “Commander” they change houses getting two other chances and then they are deported to Colonies where life is hard, environment polluted and nobody survives long. By the way women are no longer allowed to work, study, read or write. They must wear horrible uniform-like dresses, and cover their heads with veils.

Offred (not her real name – “of Fred”?), the narrator of this story, chooses to become a Handmaid. After a period of training at the “Red Center”, she is assigned to a series of households. She ends in the house of a high-ranking Commander, Fred. It is her last chance as it is her third man, she is already 31 and hasn’t conceived again since becoming a Handmaid. She can’t forget her former life, wondering whether her mother, husband and daughter are still alive. She misses many luxuries like nail polish, cigarettes, jeans, high heels, coffee. Now her world revolves around a number of different women, separated into distinct societal roles: Marthas (household workers), Wives (the mistresses), and Aunts (kind of morality guards cum teachers).

Once every month the Commander couples with Offred as his infertile wife sits behind her, holding her hands. Offred doesn’t have the slightest idea that the Commander cares about her situation. However, within a few months he invites her secretly in the middle of the night to his study, an offense punishable by death. They play Scrabble and the Commander brings Offred old books and magazines to read, another capital offense. Then he gives her even more valuable presents - a hand lotion and an old lipstick. Eventually he even takes her to an underground nightclub/brothel where officials can indulge their sinful whims and treat women as sexual beings. Meanwhile Offred, risking her life, learns a little about the resistance from another Handmaid of her acquaintance, Ofglen. The matters complicate when Commander's wife, Serena Joy, comes to the conclusion that her husband is probably sterile. Serena Joy wants a child so badly that she bribes Offred to have sex with her husband’s chauffeur Nick. It is a real affair for poor Offred and she becomes so caught up that she stops gleaning information from Fred for the resistance as she visits Nick definitely more often than she should.

Will Offred prove her worth to her superiors by becoming pregnant? Is there any other way out of her predicament? Will her tale, recorded on cassette tapes, change anything?

What I liked:

It was a feminist and very adult take on dystopia - an interesting and even momentarily entertaining read, although a bit scary. Despite the fact that we deal with a book from the early 1980's (Ronald Reagan was US President then!) it remains momentarily a very persuading vision. I must admit it is written very well – when you start it you must finish, no matter what. Fortunately it is not very long either.

The characters are well-rendered and original, especially Offred and other women she cooperates with. I started to feel for them very early on and then I just choked with anger reading about their lives and daily humiliation. I suppose only a woman author could know how to move you this way.

What I didn’t like:

To tell you the truth there were too many disturbing moments in this book – it is certainly not a light read. Apart from that the whole dystopian world was so horrible that it seemed overall just improbable after a while. I couldn’t believe there were not enough confident and capable women left – women who would oppose the fundamentalists earlier on and in a more decisive manner. Women usually are in the majority so how come they became so subdued? After all for several millennia there have been more female births than male births and men tend to have shorter life spans than women (wars, diseases, accidents, speeding, alcohol – you name it). Even the religion factor didn’t explain it sufficiently well (how come all these ladies were so religious all of a sudden?).

To sum up this novel seems today a bit dated (but believe me, you will be grateful for that) and misguided. It didn't age well.

Final verdict:

I changed this section three times - I am more conflicted than ever. It was an interesting read but I am not madly in love with it. However, I've always been a bit afraid of reading Atwood novels because of her disturbing, dark visions of the future. Perhaps after some time I will be tempted to try her other books but right now I am not sure.
 I other words I am STILL scared. Call me chicken.

Friday Flash Fiction part THREE

Amy C at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie atTink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your Fiction Flash  on Friday (if you like the button above you can use it, no problem) - 350 words, give or take. Here is the picture posted  last Monday: 

and here is the third part of my story, connected ( more or less vaguely but still) to it:

The battle was long and fierce. Tired soldiers fought with a senseless fury of cornered animals, hacking off arms and legs of anybody around. Their commanders have been going wildly to and fro, urging ceaselessly everybody who could still stand and wield a weapon to carry on till the victorious end. Plenty of maimed people were groaning of pain and dying in puddles of their own blood. Nobody cared. Ravens circled impatiently the whole area, crowing harshly. Heavy clouds hung over the horizon and it started to rain but the carnage continued. Murq came closer, gasping with surprise. One dead soldier caught his eye – maybe because it was a woman with shiny, ginger hair, maybe because her armour was of the finest quality. A raven has already found her immobile body and was sitting on her breastplate, preparing for the feast of death. “Princess...” muttered Murq to himself, unable to keep mum. “That’s why...". He turned and said loudly:

-         Incredible resolution and this sound…just fantastic! Congratulations, master Thorr!

-         I told you, my friend, my new 2.0 version would take your breath away.

-         Indeed.

Another man with long silvery beard and a shock of equally silver curls sat in an armchair. His face was full of joyful satisfaction. He stood up and approached silent Murq who was still musing  in front of a large, square mirror as the battle was coming to an end.

-         How much did you say the upgrade might cost?

-         For you, Murq, an old friend, a real bargain, just 100 gold dragons. If you recommend it to five other prospective customers and they purchase, you will get additional 5% off . It’s enough they mention you in the ordering form.

-         Tell me again what is needed to get this beauty work.

-         It is nice and simple – even an old, cross-eyed baboon without one hand would be able to assist you. You send a man to the spot of your interest with a special scrying circle, offered in the product bundle. He or she doesn’t have to know anything about magic, mind you, but of course you can always send your apprentice if you like. The scrying circle is small as it serves only as a transmitter. You set the time of the transmission beforehand on the control  panel right here. It might last from one to twelve hours. Then you press the “standby” button and wait sitting in an comfortable armchair with a cool drink in your hand. As soon as your envoy takes the circle out of its sheath and points it at the chosen scene it starts transmitting image and sound in real time. Your receiver will show you everything and it can be recorded as well so you are able to re-watch it as many times as you wish and show it to whoever you want whenever you need. The maximum recording time is 12 hours – more than enough, taking into account the fact that you can edit the whole material –rearranging, cutting, pasting, you name it.

-         So this particular battle…

-         …took place about one month ago, rather far away from Nar. More precisely in the mountainous region of Mohar. A skirmish between two ferocious clans. Nothing of importance, apart from the fact that it happened exactly when I needed to perform the final test of my Scrying Eye 2.0. I sent an envoy and the results you can admire right now - the full footage of a battle to be watched and re-watched at your will. By the way if you buy the upgrade I can attach this record as well if you are interested.

-         I am, thanks.  Are you sure nobody from Nar was…er… invited to join in?

-         As far as I know no. Not officially anyway. – answered Thorr, a bit surprised by the question.

-        Are any additional functions available? – asked Murq quickly to change the topic.

Thorr seemed to be waiting for this impatiently and he gave Murq a huge beam before answering.

-         Plenty, my friend, plenty. I wasn't stingy with my favourite invention. Close-ups, panoramic views from a chosen spot, voice commands, individual search, frame-by-frame…

-         Search? How do you mean?

-         Well, of course first you must programme the whole thing, feeding it with the right info like portraits and descriptions of  people which interest you the most. My memory crystal is able to store the full description of up to one hundred people. Then it is only a matter of pressing one little button on your control panel.

-         Brilliant!

-         Magic and technology at their best!

-         You are a very gifted mage, Thorr, what a pity you keep living alone and shun company like a hermit. My good luck I was your apprentice and got to know you so well!

-         Murq dear friend, thank you, you make me blush!

-         I will advertise and demonstrate this excellent product of yours around, be sure of it!

-         You are so kind, my boy, so kind! A glass of wine? Salt fingers? Melon?

-         No, thank you, I’ve eaten my supper. I came to ask you a favour to be honest. May I?

-         Of course dear Murq, anything. 

-         I would like a Black Brother being send to attend young Zaviroc.

-         Why?

-         I think he is having a bit of a problem with a witness of magic. I will sleep better if I am sure he follows the procedures.

-         I see. The witness being…?

-         A pretty young girl, hardly older than him if you get my drift. It is his first case by the way and he might be tempted to…

-         Understood. Where did you leave them?

-         One day from here, in an inn called “Black Horse”. She was still unconscious but recovering fast.

-         Not a problem, I will send a note and tomorrow somebody should visit them. You are such a considerate master, Murq; after all Zavi is completely on his own now and you still care. If only there were more mages like you... Let's get the paperwork done in my office below.

-         If I am a good master it is only because I was taught by you, dear Thorr; I learned that and a few other useful things as well…

Both men went out of the room in excellent moods, chatting and laughing amiably. 

Did anybody mention anything about a 350-word limit? ;)

Thoughtful Thursday, 7 April

Welcome to Thoughtful Thursday!

This week I would like to discuss and answer these questions: if you were given an opportunity what historical period would you like to visit/live in? Do you think  you would fit in better then than now? If yes why?  Why people tend to think that the life was better/easier/more interesting in the past? Do you agree with them?

Now some quotes concerning this topic:

You can’t change the past, but you can ruin the present by worrying about the future. (Anonymous)

Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. George Santayana (1863 - 1952)

Look not mournfully into the past. It comes not back again. Wisely improve the present. It is thine. Go forth to meet the shadowy future, without fear.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807 - 1882)

There is no past that we can bring back by longing for it. There is only an eternally new now that builds and creates itself out of the Best as the past withdraws.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe (1749-1832)

Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.

George Orwell (1903-1950) 

If you look back too much, you will soon be headed that way (Anonymous)

The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion.

Albert Einstein

Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment.

Buddha

I would love to know your thoughts!

Review: House of Dreams (Lady of the Reeds in the US) by Pauline Gedge

Image via Wikipedia

You wouldn't believe it (I wouldn't believe it for sure) - on Wednesday I posted my wish here, on Friday the book was brought to me! Woohoo! If the life was always so nice and easy we would live in heaven! Ok back to earth: here is the review.


Paperback: 513 pages
Publisher: Viking (1994)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0670855987
ISBN-13: 978-0670855988
Genre: historical fiction (ancient Egypt)
Target group: adults


Synopsis:

House of Dreams is a fictional diary of Lady Thu of Aswat.

Thu, a peasant girl living in a small godforsaken village, is an unusual child and not only because her eyes, inherited from the foreign father, are blue. She is uncommonly intelligent and ambitious too. Unfortunately her life choices seem to be severely limited – she is bound to become an illiterate midwife, like her mother and grandmother. Thu is strong-willed and resourceful, though – she wants to find a way out of her cage at all costs. She pesters her older brother, who has the good luck of attending a temple school for future scribes, and he finally agrees to teach her to read and write. It is of course not enough. Thu becomes really desperate and all of a sudden she thinks her prayers were finally answered - the great seer Hui, who is also a physician to the Pharaoh, visits Aswat to commune with their god of war, Wepwawet, in his temple. Thu climbs his barge at night and begs Hui to take her to his house in Pi-Ramesse and teach his art. She offers herself in return. Hui, impressed by her eyes, courage, and intelligence, agrees but he doesn’t make Thu his lover (at least not then). His plans for her are much more far-sighted, ambitious and dangerous – for that she must also stay a virgin.

Thu is kept in Hui’s comfortable house and slowly she is transformed from am ungainly peasant girl into a healer and a young aristocratic beauty - well-bred, fully literate, well-groomed and well-behaved. Hui takes her to the royal palace, officially to diagnose and cure the middle-aged Pharaoh Ramesses II, known for his philandering habit. As the clever seer predicted, Ramesses is instantly smitten with the nubile, witty Thu – so smitten that the girl is instantly invited to become a royal concubine. It is a huge social advance for a daughter of a midwife and an ex-mercenary. However Thu thinks she would prefer to marry Hui, her teacher and benefactor but also a man of uncommon beauty (really uncommon, trust me!) but the seer refuses her shy advances - he has other plans for his pupil.  Finally Thu agrees to join the harem and lands in another cage. The royal quarters are undoubtedly a luxurious place to live in but still they remain just a bigger cage with very limited options for such an ambitious young girl. Still Thu is determined to use them all.

Very quickly she becomes the king’s favourite concubine, showered with gifts, jewellery and attention. Now she wants to be a queen. She is not aware of the fact that she has been cruelly manipulated by people she trusts the most. She gets pregnant against her intentions (mysteriously her contraception cure, so efficient so far, fails her), gives birth to a boy and then, a normal course of events in the case of concubines, loses the Pharaoh’s interest. A new girl, younger, fresher and equally ambitious, appears in the palace. Thu is furious, humiliated but more than ever determined to return to her previous position or even achieve something more. She visits Hui, her beloved master, and he cleverly suggests a way out. When you are angry and disappointed you tend to make mistakes. Thu makes a lot of them. She has to learn a new lesson – very bitter and almost fatal - if you are just a poor peasant girl, with no social status or relatives to speak of, you will become the scapegoat of the powerful and the rich as soon as something goes wrong. Sometimes even before anything goes wrong. Often not being aware of it.

What I liked:

This book is, in my humble opinion, a perfect example how any historical fiction novel should be written. It is based on real story of a coup d’etat performed by one of Ramesses’s concubines which description was saved in several source documents (those sources are listed in the book). Of course the authoress added some fictional characters, filling in the story very nicely; she also decided to make the concubine speak for herself and explain how by her own choice she became a cold-hearted murderess to fulfill her impossible dreams.

It was a brilliant story – creative, original, fun and in almost perfect accordance with our current knowledge about the culture of ancient Egypt. The characters are well-rounded and psychologically believable, especially Hui and Thu. The end is not tragic although it does leave you a bit sad (and I did what I could in order not to spoil you!). In short I was enthralled! Young Thu won my heart although she could be incredibly naïve, cruel and infuriating at the same time.

What I didn’t like:

I found just one minor flaw: talking with Thu one night, the Pharaoh expresses his anger because Egyptian peasants are not aware of the current troubles of their country. I almost snorted. Firstly, hello Your Highness - these people can’t read and write, the majority of them! How can they find out what’s happening? Watching TV? Ok, sorry, unfair question...looking at a comic carved on a pyramid?
Secondly, I doubt any pharaoh would really like his subjects to know about any political troubles. Ancient Egypt was not a democracy and pharaohs were gods - there can’t be any troubles in a country ruled by a living god, right? It is always the official line of autocrats old and new – all is in order, nothing unusual happens, the country is strong, the king is good, healthy, wise, far-sighted and knows the best, continue what you are doing, do not think too much…

Final verdict:

I've already ordered the sequel (House of Illusions) – should I say more?

Silent Saturday

New poem of the month is published!

Once again I couldn't decide which poem to choose so I posted two - you can find them clicking here or going to my "Poem of the Month" page. One is written by a woman and the second one by a man to balance things nicely. Both of the authors have already featured on my blog. Have fun and tell me what you think - as usual you can post comments only under this entry - sorry!

Friday Flash Fiction part two

Amy C at Romance Book Wyrm and Dottie atTink's Place have come up with the idea for a Monday Morning Flash Fiction challenge. Each Monday a new picture prompt will be posted and if you choose to participate - you post your Flash Fiction on Friday - 350 words, give or take. Here is the picture posted on last Monday : 

Lovely and mystic, isn't it? It made me continue the story of Neelya I started last week:

part two

Neelya didn’t know how many days she had been suspended between the black abyss of death and the misty island of life. She was waking up from time to time, then losing consciousness again. If it was death, it was very uncomfortable; if it was life, it was bound to get better soon, otherwise death would be really a far more preferable option. One night (it was probably night, it was pitch-dark and cold whenever she was) Neelya finally felt a little stronger. She opened her eyes  but, as she couldn’t see anything around, she decided to focus on her sense of hearing instead. It was a good idea. She could make out voices belonging to two different men, coming from below clear and strong. One voice was silky and pleasant like mulled wine with cinnamon and mead, the second - a bit deeper and harsher, belonging undoubtedly to an older person. The men were talking, possibly arguing with each other, but she couldn’t understand their language. Exhausted by the effort she slumbered again, immersing in never-ending dark corridors of her nightmares, always looking for something that couldn’t be found.

***

-         I told you to leave her under that tree but you are never one to listen to wiser people, Zavi.

-         I know, Murq, I am sorry. I admit you were right and I was wrong. I promise…

-         Don’t try to placate me with meek words, Zavi, I know you too well to fall for your tricks. What are you going to do with her now?

-         Perhaps she is going to die after all.

-         No she isn’t. A herbalist visited her yesterday at my request. He said the wound wasn’t fatal to begin with and now, properly cleaned and dressed, is healing fast. She was unconscious but visibly stronger, with very little fever left.

-         You asked a herbalist to come and see her? You mean you paid for it?

The eyes of older man glittered with gleeful malice when he answered.

-         Yes, I did. I wouldn’t want to spoil your experience, young friend. Anyway, in a day or two she is bound to feel well enough to stay awake for longer and ask questions.

The younger man blanched.

-         She won’t remember anything Murq, how many times I must repeat this simple truth?

-         You can’t be totally sure of it, can you?

-         I suppose…

-         Can you?

-         Well…

-         Can you?

-         No, I can’t

The older man chuckled.

-         Finally a simple truth coming from your mouth my friend. I am touched. Do as you may, I return south, my mission is over.

-         You can’t leave me alone with this…burden, Murq. I might be independent now but one moth ago I was still your apprentice.

-         Well, it’s good you finally remember your lack of experience but cheer up Zavi, the situation is not tragic and it certainly doesn’t have to be a burden to you. You said it yourself – she is a good-looking girl, a high-born lady to boot, and if you spin the right tale she might be grateful enough to make it a very enjoyable, even if temporary, adventure. I saw you two dancing in that tavern – perhaps you even won’t need a potion to persuade her ladyship.

-         Why don’t you want to stay with me a bit longer then? I’ve seen you several times with girls – you enjoyed it and I am willing to share.


The older man flashed a smile.

-         Sorry Zavi, I think I’ve made it clear time and again: I am not one to share anything with you, no matter how willing you are. You are an independent mage now - your decisions, your problems, end of the story. I am leaving tonight, the sooner the better. Go fetch me some wine and tell that rascal Lim to groom horses and pack my things or else.

***

Neelya dreamt of a very old forest, full of ancient firs and oaks. Their thick trunks gleamed with dew and the air smelled of wild flowers and ferns. Contrary to her other nightmares the scene was permeated by sunlight and very cheerful. She entered a clearing and saw a strange gate, undoubtedly made by humans but looking as if it managed to grow straight from the ground at the same time. It was flanked by two giant stones – the biggest stones she has ever seen. They were covered by moss, emitting warmth and light. The rays of sunshine fell on her face and she felt good. Something urged her to run to the gate. As she started to walk she heard a voice of a woman singing. Her legs, clumsy and heavy at the beginning, became agile again. She was now truly running as fast as the wind, reaching the gate in no time and going through it in one graceful leap. She felt warm and strong but she also noticed familiar tingling sensation in her hands. She knew she would live. She also knew something more important than that - her gift, the very thing she had been looking for in vain in dark corridors of her nightmares, was back.

Image via Wikipedia

Sorry, I didn't count the words. 350? I would say rather more than less ;).