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Jan 03, 2020IndyPL_JoannaW_Archive rated this title 1 out of 5 stars
Read Cat's Eye (novel), Bluebeard's Egg or Wilderness Tips (short story collections) or Morning in the Burning House (poetry) if you want to read excellent Atwood. Atwood can be uneven and the writing here is so poor that on just one page there are two cliches (e.g. the proof is in the pudding) unbelievably spoken by Aunt Lydia (who pre-Gilead had been a judge.) There are no Handmaids in the plot; no Fascistic, militant Commanders (only a couple of weak pedophiles); no jealous, controlling wives (just young innocent girl brides). Aunt Lydia is not cruel and sadistic. She is an administrator and protector of postulants. The plot does not center on inhumane ideology. When I got to the ridiculous turning point which was to unravel Gilead, I had to force myself to finish the book. I own all of Atwood's books and am an admirer, but The Testaments is probably not the book you are looking for if you were riveted and horrified by The Handmaid's Tale.