E.A.’s Comments (group member since May 29, 2017)

E.A.’s comments from the Engaging Books group.

I finally finished my post!
https://technicolorlilypond.wordpress...

What do you all think?

Hey, All! I posted my thoughts on Handmaid's Tale a few weeks ago on my blog and then I forgot to put a link here. Oops! Here is the link: https://technicolorlilypond.wordpress... I hope you enjoy the post!

Well said, Kasey, I agree that it is a book about power. You're right, whenever one reads this book there will be something relevant in the news. The control of women never seems all that far from the cultural discourse. Unforunately.

I also thought that Atwood understands well that the religious trappings of the Gilead regime are just that: trappings devoid of substantive belief. As a Chrisitian, I appreciate that the Gilead regime is purposely meant to be a caricature of Christianity for the consolidation of power while real Christians and other religious believers crop up through the story participating in the resistance. Religion is as good or bad as people make it and the leaders of Gilead made it wretched. To quote from my reader's journal: "Religion isn't the bad guy in the story. Atwood makes that clear. The bad guy is corrupt women-hating men high on their own power to make the world theirs."

I have a lot more to say on this but for today, I just want to leave off with my favorite quote of the book: "By telling you anything at all I'm at least believing in you, I believe you're there, I believe you into being. Because I'm telling you this story I will your existence. I tell, therefore you are." --pg 344 of the paperback edition.

I'm three quarters of the way through this book and I'm developing thoughts. Hopefully, I will be able to share more soon. What about you?

This is a lyrical work. The humor in Tracks really took me pleasantly by surprise. What do you think?

Reading this during the 2016 election season was either the best or worst time to read this book; I still haven't made up my mind. It made a profound impact on me and I plan to write about it more soon. What do you think? Have you read it? I have not watched the TV series so all of my remarks will be strictly about the book.

Welcome to the Engaging Books book, dear reader! Please feel free to start a discussion about a book title. I look forward to your thoughts.