Challenge Corner discussion

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now...

Ch 3 (view spoiler)[So all women are dirt, just a difference of soil vs mud and such? Great world... Not liking the lady of the house. While I get she isn't happy nor is her newest 'property.' (hide spoiler)]

Ch 12 (view spoiler)[Jeez...no friends in this new world allowed? And the house staff being rude to eachother...tsk tsk. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 17 (view spoiler)[Jeez what a crappy sexual experience for them all!. Worst threesome idea ever! (hide spoiler)]

Ch 19 (view spoiler)[Why does she obviously hate Janine so much?? (hide spoiler)]

Ch 21 (view spoiler)[What is withe the handmaid's between the wives legs? Awkward.. (hide spoiler)]

Ch 27 (view spoiler)[Interesting...Ofglen is not what she seems... (hide spoiler)]

Done (view spoiler)[So just when I feel I start to get some answers it jumps ahead and i am denied everything?! (hide spoiler)]

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RESTARTING SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2019

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Hi I might only start on monday, hope that is okay!!

Adrie that is fine! The thread will definitely still be active by then. Looking forward to see what you think! This is a reread for me and I really enjoyed it the first time.

Started/8% (view spoiler)[ So far so good, piqued my interest after seeing a handful of episodes from the tv-show, some small difference from the tv-show of course but that is to be expected. Really makes you wonder what is going on, so far not much has happened yet, just a lot of necessary world building. Really wondering how they came into this current situation. (hide spoiler)]

I am starting tonight!!

Quite excited

Wonderful!!! Welcome Sandra!!
I started last night.. but fell asleep 2 pages in!! I dont think that is a reflection on the book but on my tiredness. lol!

It's more of a slow pace/slow burn book I would have to say from the first 15% so yes, not something you should read when you're really tired haha

I am 24% into book now. Its really good! So beautifully written.

favourite quotes so far is:
"We had our problems, how were we suppose to know we were happy!!"

Wow!! something for all of us to think about!! Its going so hectic in my life at the moment, but if i stop thinking about all the stuff I must still do.... I am honestly and truly happy!!

Another Quote
"I used to think of my body as an instruemt, of pleasure, or a means of transportation, or an implement for the accomplishment of my will. I could use it to run, push buttons of one sort of another, make things happen."

Loads of things to think about there. Have never even thought of my body except for when I am hungry..

Ladies!!! Oh my goodness!!

(view spoiler)[How lucky are we to have the freedom to choose to be touched in love. I love that, we have the -"freedom-to" and luckily not the "freedom front' amazing word play (hide spoiler)]

31% (view spoiler)[Such a strange but at same time kind of familiar world, even though it's been written so many years ago, something are so close to reality. And wow didn't think Nick would actually make a move towards her this quick. (hide spoiler)]
32% (view spoiler)[It's hard hitting those 3 versions she has of Luke, still having hope the last version is the true version. (hide spoiler)]

50%

I like the way she tells the story in the present and past at the same time!!

92%

This book really brings out so many emotions.

(view spoiler)[the Jezebels are quite disturbing for me, but so true of religion (I am Christian but not religious) Religion that has white washed graves as fronts but inside its rotten. They want this purist society that apparently lives by the bible and has time for prayer. but everything is a cover up for sexual depravity woman abuse ect. (hide spoiler)]

I finished this morning!!

I completely agree with you Sandra!!!

Chapter 12
(view spoiler)[
This is a reread for me, but I don't remember how the world came to be like this. Based on the hints so far, it seems maybe there were some infertility issues (since there are references to what a rare blessing it is to have a child) and maybe too much sexual assault (the freedom from vs. freedom to). But I feel that's not enough to explain it, so I'm waiting to see if there will be more detail.
(hide spoiler)]

42% (view spoiler)[I'm glad Moira got away and I hope nobody finds her and she can live the rest of her life free and peaceful, away from this madness (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 21
(view spoiler)[
The way the Wives are present for both conception and birth, trying to pretend they were part of the process, is really horrifying. And infuriating! If the Handmaid goes through all the difficulty of labor, why should the Wife get any credit or attention?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 29
(view spoiler)[
It was maddening seeing how easily Luke took the news that his wife couldn’t have a job or own any property. He should have been outraged on her behalf. Yes, it’s good that he was promising to take care of her, she needed him to and the rest was outside of his control. But how could he just take it in stride?
(hide spoiler)]

Chapter 38
(view spoiler)[
The hotel they went to is weird. I think it is for sex, but so far all Offred has been doing is hanging out in the bathroom with Moira? It doesn't really make sense to me for her to just walk around all evening while men look at her in her gaudy costume. It wouldn't be worth all the trouble. I wonder if it will explain next what else she does there.
(hide spoiler)]

67% (view spoiler)[I like how there's a realization among the men that they took certain things for granted, didn't think after their actions, after what they did, it would also affect them. (hide spoiler)]

Finished!
(view spoiler)[
I liked that the world was somewhat further explained in the end. Although, it did seem like a very extreme response to lower fertility rates!
(hide spoiler)]

93% (view spoiler)[Oh gosh if this end with her being taken away, and it just stopping there I'm so glad there's actually a sequel, jfc, this book gosh. It really makes you think and it's also very worrisome, knowing this was written many years ago, but it still touches so close to home (hide spoiler)]
Finished Ah this was such a good read, I wish I would've read this sooner.