unread

Posted today to friend of PDB11, as requested.

I asked a friend who runs a book stall if he had a copy of this book and he asked a friend who visited this site. Amazingly I had received a copy within the week. As a result I have managed to just about complete a book review on this book as part of my Access to higher education course at college. Fabulous service.

CAUGHT IN COALVILLE LEICESTERSHIRE ENGLAND

Some time ago, a friend needed a copy of The Handmaid's Tale for a college assignment. Thinking that I might be able to find her one, she turned to me, and I came in turn to BookCrossing. Ruth013 very kindly came up with the goods, and sent the book to my friend. (Just to clear up any confusion, the "Friend who runs a book stall" is me, and the "Friend who visited the site" presumably Ruth013)

My friend has now finished with the book, and has given it to me to continue its journey. Unless Ruth013 has other plans, I'll take it to the unconvention at Birmingham next month.

RELEASE NOTES:

This book is a science fiction classic, and I considered re-reading it before releasing it, but I just had too much else on.

On the swaps table.

I've become a major fan of Margaret Atwood this year. So far I have read The Blind Assassin, Surfacing and Cat's Eye. When I saw this book at the Unconvention I had to grab it to make sure no-one else had dibbs on it!

I have just finished reading this book and I wish I could turn back and read it again. I've been laid up in bed with a bad cold the past few days which allowed me to read this book almost in an entire sitting.

Again, Atwood throws you into the story which is set in a not too impossible future. A new society has been established in America which is based upon a partiarchal and rather Biblical society. This society is told from the point of view of a Handmaid - a woman who is given to childless 'Commander' couples for the purposes of procreation. In this society women are expected to stay at home while men deal with the 'bigger issues'. Those below the status of Commader's Wife are forbidden from reading and have to run shopping errands using pictorial shopping lists.

Considering this book was written in 1992, it's frightening to see how close America is heading to that sort of society. The religious right have a big voice there which is similar to that in the book.

I throughly recommend this book - it's probably been one of my favourite books this year.

RELEASE NOTES:

Shall be left somewhere over the course of the weekend ;-)

Picked this up at the BCUK Uncon. Have heard the story serialised on radio. now looking forward to reading the book.

Really enjoyed this book and its (I hope not too) prophetic vision of a modern dystopia based on the worst interpretations of Old Testament Christian religion. Attwood has a remarkable ability to paint an all too believable picture of what might happen if the American religious right was in fact able to take over and run the country as they wanted. Given the rather alarming pronouncements of their current President, perhaps we're right to be alarmed.

Passed on to a friend who expressed an interest in reading it.

Leftover at the meet last night, hope to release it or find it a new home soon as I love my copy.

My reviews and book musings can be found on my website, Alex in Leeds.

It made its way to the York "Festival of Angels" Meetup on Saturday, 9 December 2006.
I picked it from the pile.

Thought I should give it a picture and loaded its cover up.