The Handmaid's Tale (1985) By Margaret Atwood

"Don't let the bastards grind you down."

This, one of the most famous and acclaimed pieces of feminist and dystopian literature ever written, has been on my admittedly extensive reading list for a long time. I knew very little of what to expect from it, other than the iconic outfits of the so-called Handmaids. If anything, this unknowing feeling only encouraged and excited me to read it more.

"Better never means better for everyone...It always means worse, for some."

Atwood's words were utterly mesmerising, she pulled me into her expertly crafted world of extreme patriarchy and misogyny with the deftest of hands. It wasn't just her world-building that was impressive though, her characters, especially the fascinating protagonist, all felt very clearly defined. I thought everything felt crisp and well-formed.

"We were the people who were not in the papers. We lived in the blank white spaces at the edges of print. It gave us more freedom. We lived in the gaps between the stories."

I loved that much of the text was contemplative in nature, it gave the story a unique and intimate feel. The story was by no means action-packed, but it had a transfixing rhythm to it, which kept me turning page after page. It was tantalising, as Atwood revealed little tendrils of information, hinting at different events, outcomes, and futures.

"A rat in a maze is free to go anywhere, as long as it stays inside the maze."

At times the narrative was extraordinarily tense, thanks to some truly marvellous descriptive passages and highly suspenseful events. I wanted to unveil every detail I could about this world and its characters, and when I reached the book's final pages, I was left reeling and yearning for more. The ending teased the reader with doubt and potential - it was thrilling.

"But people will do anything rather than admit that their lives have no meaning. No use, that is. No plot."

Overall, I was totally and unwaveringly captivated by this magnificent piece of literature from start to finish. It drew me in, held me close, and didn't let go until the very last word on the very last page. This was such a beautifully written novel, which truly deserves its acclaim and reputation for being a transformative and ahead of time work. I know the sequel is apparently not quite as strong, but I am still extremely tempted to read it.

"We thought we had such problems. How were we to know we were happy?"