Book Club for Introverts discussion

Here's where we discuss the chapters as we read. Please stick to discussing the chapters listed so that others can read at their own pace.

This book is a classic and can also be very polarizing - more so than other books we have read. Differing opinions are fine but let's keep it respectful.

Happy reading!

So I'm reading the book AFTER watching the show and 1. The show does a GREAT job sticking to the book. At least the first season does. 2. I realized that a lot of terms are just thrown out there that don't make sense until later on. Angel, Commander, etc. I know what they mean (because of the show and reading online) but might be a bit confusing for someone who has never read it or seen anything about it. I think if I didn't watch the show, I'd be like "WTF is going on???"

I live, in the middle of nowhere and sadly won’t be getting this book till the 10th :(.

What is the monthly schedule look like? I know this is Chapter 1-6 to be complete by? I just want to make sure I’m not missing anything it Behind.

Melissa, I watched the show first too—we’ll, I’m in the middle of Season 2. I too was impressed at how closely they mirrored the book. There are modern touches; mixed-race marriages and gay characters but for the most part, I thought they did a really good job. I especially like how the show uses quotes from the book. I love Joan/Offred’s character.

So far chapters 1-6 are intriguing. I am not watching the show but plan to once I’m farther into the book. I would be lost on the terms and concepts if I hadn’t read the book description - that helps. It’s amazing the different ways that humans can come up with to divide society into the haves and the have nots.

I've watched the first 2 seasons of the show prior to reading this. It's been awhile so I don't remember little details but I still know the general storyline.
One thing that stuck out to me was when she was remembering one of the Aunts saying (and I'm paraphrasing here) that it's not the "freedom to" but the "freedom from" they should be thankful for -- freedom from having men whistle at them, being unsafe at night, etc. The perspective was just interesting to me. Yes, it would be nice to be free of those things, but they've also had many freedoms taken away. I suppose in a society built like theirs, it's sort of an "adapt or die" mentality since people are so harshly punished.
I also found it interesting when she was brought to her new home and the Commander's Wife treated her like a nuisance, when in contrast, the Aunt's tell them they are so important and their bodies are sacred - the pregnant Handmaid at the store was envied just for being pregnant. You'd think the Commander's Wife would treat her better if she was going to provide her a child. Then again, jealousy is a green monster..

Looking forward to reading the rest of this book!

Great perspectives, Megan! Freedom to vs. freedom from are debatable concepts. I think this also falls under propaganda, as are other things that the Aunts told the Handmaids. Clearly not everyone is happy with the roles people play, even when others are meant to “help.” Reminds me of a person who wants something very badly, but if someone else gives it to them, they no longer want it. Their goal is to produce it or find it themselves.

I haven’t watched the show so not quite understand all the roles yet. The idea of “freedom to” vs “freedom from” sounds really interesting, I have never thought about it from this perspective... Interesting way of making restrictions look like benefits.
The environmental aspect has also caught my eye... looks like plastic pollution theme is everywhere nowadays
Looking forwards to reading next chapters

Like some others here, I haven’t watched the show yet. In a way, I’m kind of glad I haven’t. There’s a lot to think of in these first 6 chapters. The world that Atwood is gradually revealing seems like a very scary one. Rather than thinking WTF is going on here, I’m liking that everything is being slowly revealed. I’m hoping I can keep track of it all as the book progresses. It really sounds like a society where everyone needs to understand and accept their role or there will be serious consequences. One thing that puzzled me in chapter five was where the pregnant Handmaid was talked about as follows: “Now that she’s the carrier of life, she is closer to death...” I’m sure all will be revealed later, but it was something that made me really curious. This is going to be a great read!

I don’t want to put the book down- I’m so interested in the society and the norms. I’ve never watched the show but after I read the book I plan to watch! Can’t wait to continue on.

After finishing this book, I actually looked up to learn more about what inspired it, and ironically, the book was simply tapes that were found someplace in Maine and the voice of the woman told the story that was then transcribed into this book. It’s eerie, especially during that time, that such a society could have existed.

Finally got my hands on a copy of this book, so a little late to the game! I have yet to watch the show, so I'm entering this with little to no knowledge of the major plot points. I thought I might have a little trouble getting into this book, but it took no time at all to get used the flow of the writing. My main thoughts are that things seem a little ominous, and I'm curious to see more into the narrator's perspective on this society. It's interesting to me that she remembers a time before this society formed and it just seems like she is reminiscing quite a bit. It almost seems at times that the narrator is convincing herself that the way things currently are, are for the best. I certainly am looking forward to reading more and getting a better idea of what is going on!