Shelly's Book Journal

This is a dystopian book written in the 1990s where the author supposes a world dominated by men. The Handmaids are women trained to be the other woman in the house - the one who can bear children and perpetuate the finest men's lines - something their own wives cannot do. There are many strange rituals and customs in every aspect of society - a world that is very controlled. A world where leisure seems to have been all but eliminated.Told in a diary style narrative by one of these Handmaids. She tells her own story - of life in New England before the takeover, as she steps through the pleasureless days of being a handmaid. I thought the book was extremely well written, although the actual topic and storyline did not really interest me. I'm not a dystopian fan. I did like the fact that it wasn't a YA saga, but had adults as the main characters. It kind of had a more Orwellian feel to it than some of the more modern Dystopia books.Recommend: For dystopian fans.