Margaret Atwood is one of my favorite authors. Of all her books, the sci-fi books which is a term she eschews I hear, but the term sci-fi works for me, are my favorites. Oryx and Crake convinced me that I had better finally get around to reading The Handmaid's Tale and I was not disappointed. Her model of sci-fi in the not too distant future worked even better in Handmaid's Tale, because of a few references to things which at the time of her writing the book had not come to pass, but now have or have come so close that it is breath taking. I am in awe of her ability to take disturbing current events and take them to their almost unreal conclusions. Which cannot but help make you think about all that is going on around you. Be prepared to feel passionately about the things you sometimes mistakenly feel you have no control over. Think again.