Review: The Handmaid's Tale

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Handmaid's Tales is like a nightmare I'd gone through and glad that it doesn't happen in reality. Sometimes, I think dystopian should be sub-labeled under horror. The whole idea of a non-existing world can be intriguing to read about but it sure creeps you out if you were to place yourself in the characters' shoes.

"In your hands, she said, looking down at her own hands as if they had given her the idea. But there was nothing in them. They were empty. It was our hands that were supposed to be full, of the future; which could be held but not seen."


The Handmaid's Tale shows a world where women (the handmaids) are treated as nothing but "childbearing automates". The handmaids only have one duty - to bear child for the Commanders. They could go out to shop once per day, but under deep surveillance of the Eyes. They are, under no circumstances, to speak ill of the systems or disobey. The world of Gilead is sickening, demoralised and horrifying.

As intense as Orwell's 1984, Atwood's incredible world-building and words-building won my heart. As terrifying as the coup in Gilead goes, I could not help to be immersed in the powerful narratives by the main character, Offred. Offred's narratives help to bring readers in her shoes - walking the same paths, thinking the same thoughts. Plus, the intended word-play which proper terms can only be found in Mark Forsyth's The Elements of Eloquence all but blew my mind away.

"Myself, my obverse."


The scariest thing about this novel is not the plot which supposed to bring you to the different stages of fright but just the knowledge of being in that world - the world of Gilead. At this point, I'm awfully turning this statement fiction to a horror of Stephen King but fret not, it's not (at least not in the same way). The crazy revelations of this novel will make you realise what the world will become without the freedom of varies.

View all my reviews

Cress by Marissa Meyer

original post

The 3rd book of the Lunar Chronicles series. 

- SYNOPSIS LINK - (rather not read it since it’s the 3rd book of the series)

Goner. THIS WAS SO DAMN GOOD.

*The following contains spoilers of the series, if you have not started the series, you are advised to START READING IT NOW.*

When I was reading Cinder, I thought I would just ‘ship Cinder&Kai; then when I was reading Scarlet, I loved Scarlet&Wolf; when I was reading Cress, man, Cress&Thorne were so adorable. When I was ending Cress, I fell back to ‘ship of Cinder&Kai. wtfthisthisseriesdoingtomeman?

First off, the plot is very well thought off. It wasn’t just fairy tale retelling, where you could guess what would happen next. But, as the story flows, I was like ‘right, this happen in the original story’, instead of, ‘right, I knew this would happen’. Big Difference. 

Secondly, Cress&Thorne. Carswell Thorne was hilarious. His self-esteem, his jokes, his care for Cress and his blindness (what?) - Thorne, you’re my man. Cress is adorable. Little Crescent Moon, I love her. Her innocent crush towards Thorne and heart-breaks when she thought Thorne would not come and save her. Oh gosh, I couldn’t help but love her more. 

"Believe me, Cress. The pleasure was all mine."

CAN’T YOU NOT LOVE THEM?

I like that these books aren’t written just from one main character POV. They were written from various POVs and from that, we would know what’s happening at different venues. 

Thirdly, I can’t wait for Winter. It would be mind-blowing! A little sneak-peek of Winter while she talked to Scarlet. She’s a mad girl and she could foresee the future, I presume. I’m already in love with her. Plus, Jacin. He’s still a mystery but I’m anticipating. He would either be the prince for Winter or one of the 7 dwarfs. Oh, the 7 dwarfs, can’t wait to read about them!

Definitely a 5-stars on Goodreads.

Another review coming up,

Summer

To Get Into the Lunar Chronicles series:

Cinder / Scarlet / Cress

Wither by Lauren DeStefano

original post 

- SYNOPSIS LINK -

I did not enjoy this book, to be frank. The following is purely and explicitly my own personal opinion. If you’re a fan of the book, please don’t feel offended. 

First of, the cover. What’s with the straight lines and circles crossing all over the cover like tic-tac-toe? The cover photo is perfect without those funny lines and circles. Why? 

Second, the story. It’s a dystopian young-adult novel. It’s a YA yet most of things written were about marriage and pregnancy. Okay… Cecily, the child bride, was impregnated at such a young age. 14? You may say it’s a dystopian but it’s also a YA. 

Thirdly, there’s no excitement or even climax throughout the whole story. You may argue that the near-escaped of Rhine is one of the climax. But, it didn’t make me wanna continue reading the story. It was dead plain, most of the time, Rhine monologued and contracted with herself about her feelings towards Linden. Okay…

Fourthly, Linden. I don’t understand why Linden was not aware of what his dad was plotting all these while? Even the maids knew. Linden is such a blur, weak and pathetic man. #whyishelikethat?

Lastly, why no Rowan cameo? This is just my little disappointment. I was half-expecting Rowan to cameo out of nowhere to show “support” or something. But, all he did was acting as a flashback in Rhine’s dream and anecdote. 

— — — — — —

However, I really like how the author sets the tone of the book. It was calm and calm and even calmer. (That’s a bad thing?) I did feel the tone, although it made me sleepy. 

Plus, actually I was interested with the story but not how the storyline flow. I thought it would be creepy and mysterious, but Rhine just failed it. Rhine. Rhine. Rhine. 

This is a series so I think (hope) the rest of the series would make a big plot twist. But, I would not continue the series. I’m sorry.

Honest opinion,

Summer