The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

tw/ Discussion of SA Over time, this book has become famous for it's dark story and world, further aided by it's adaptation into a show. However, since its release in 1985, how well does it hold up? Overall, I would say that it does so well, with the story engaging the attention of the reader, moving at a sombre pace to reflect the direness of the environment whilst also not dragging on for too much time. It also deserves the admiration it has received for its biting take on issues such as sexism, sexual repression, and sexual assault, which allows the message of the story to be delivered effectively. With that being said, however, in my opinion, it does not hold up perfectly. As stated, it deserves admiration for its tackling of social issues, but there are moments where, personally, I feel as though certain aspects of these issues could have been explored more constructively. Particularly, there are certain moments that, whilst technically serving the narrative, feel unnecessary to be explored in such detail. Whilst it could be argued that this further shows the repugnant nature of such actions, personally, such nature had already been proven without needing as graphic of detail. As such, this book should be approached with caution if sensitive to issues such as sexual assault, but, overall, the story is one that both draws attention and ultimately delivers an effectively ambiguous ending that rings true with the message it is trying to send, solidifying its importance.