The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

The Testaments by Margaret Atwood is an intriguing and engaging tale that continues the story of Gilead started in The Handmaid's Tale. The story, while offering some insight into the future of Gilead, challenged me to question assumptions I made while reading, and especially watching the series, The Handmaid's Tale. It's easy to assume bad people are all bad and good people are all good, but Atwood is a master at reminding readers that looking only at the surface doesn't allow one to find the full truth. The Testaments explains how the Aunts from The Handmaid's Tale could be convinced - coerced - into taking on the role of Aunts. Atwood also delves into the stories of the daughters of the Handmaid from The Handmaid's Tale. The Testaments is testimony that shares the point of view from three characters, Aunt Lydia (yes, that Aunt Lydia), Agnes (Hannah), and Nicole (Daisy/Jade) with seemingly different viewpoints who find common ground and are instrumental in exposing Gilead. The Testaments pulled me in and didn't let go until the last page as I commiserated with the characters, feared for their lives, and found compassion for their predicaments.



Note: I have included The Testaments under the banned books label because while I can't confirm whether it has been banned or not, it delves into the consequences of banning books/reading.

Check back soon for my thoughts on other books I'm reading including:


Write for Life: Creative Tools for Every Writer by Julia Cameron
Above the River: The Complete Poems by James Wright
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook by Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer
The September Letters by Maeve Binchy
Zikora by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie



Reviews will be posted as I finish these books.


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