It was just creepy... This is the third Atwood book I've read and so far, all three have given me the creeps. Each of them has been so dark and hopeless. So near and yet, so far away from the reality / truth. Atwood weaves such a story that both reality and un-reality intertwined and this is what gives me the creepy feeling.This book is what today could have been except that society has regressed by centuries in making women, once again, obsolete. Women were housekeepers and child-bearers, basically non-existent and property of men only. The Handmaidens are child-bearers but if they fail their Duty... they will be erased. The story is told from a perspective of a Handmaid, of her struggles of her current situation (the un-acceptableness of her Duty and yet, the danger to self if she is caught, in anyway, to have "un-seemly" thoughts). She is caught in that between times where she knew what it was like in the times before and now is forced to live, if you can call that living, like a breeder dog.Dark and hopeless, yet one cannot help but be hopefull. Whilst, I don't particularly like the hanging ending - I can't think of any other way that will give you hope.
