Gabrielle’s Reviews > The Handmaid’s Tale > Status Update

MAannn okay so essentially around halfway the story starts getting really interesting. There's more intrigue, the characters are better developed (I still don't like Offred). Depending on how the rest of this goes, this may turn into a 3 star book instead of 2.

THE PLOT THICKENS

Starts getting actually good after this point????? I love imagining the Commander as Kevin Costner idk.

The main vharacter is just as interesting and dynamic as Bella Swan. Actually, I prefer Bella Swan. On a serious note, the story would be so much better if it was from Moira's perspective, or the daughter from the past, or Serena Joy, or Ofglen, or basically any other female character. On a positive note, she is superb at describing the religious dystopian horror of pregnancy and conception.

Ok, I'm getting into it now.

I still don't like the style of the narrative, going back and forth in time, but the situation in Gilead is becoming clearer, as well as Offred's past. The part with the Japanese tourists was completely unexpected, but a very unique concept for a dystopian novel, and realistic. I couldn't help but think about Western tourists taking pictures of geisha in Japan, or people staring at fully covered Muslim women.

I don't really know what I'm getting myself into, though it's coming clear. Currently not a fan of this type of narrative, which goes back and forth in time, but isn't challenging. Trying to wrap my head around the main character, who is lacking in personality. There is a sense that she is longing for human intimacy, especially touch. Surrealistic rathen than realistic. Reminiscent of 1984.