Play Book Tag discussion

This book takes place about sixteen years after The Handmaid’s Tale ends. It is told from three perspectives: Aunt Lydia’s, whom we all know and hate; Agnes Jemima’s, a child growing up in Gilead and destined to become a Wife until, at the very last minute, she veers off to Aunt training; and Daisy, the daughter of two rebels in Toronto. The adopted daughter, it turns out, as she soon finds out she is actually Baby Nicole, the baby that was smuggled out of Gilead years ago. A big conspiracy is afoot, involving somebody in Gilead, and Daisy/Nicole goes in undercover, with the objective of bringing the whole thing down.

I read the Handmaid’s Tale ages ago, so I can’t really compare the two. But I follow the TV show, so I remember the story, and I have to say I loved getting a view of Gilead from someone other than a Handmaid. In fact, if the readers have seen the show, they will recognize some character which other readers will not. I think the overall effect is still the same wither way, but it’s fun having these little insider secrets with other TV fans.

I’m mildly less of a fan of the “Lydia is actually a good person” trope though.