Margaret Attwood’s modern classic takes on a not-so-distant future of a right-wing religious group overthrowing the US government and bring their values into practice (sound’s familiar right?).

Honestly, the scariest thing about the book is how much Offred’s situation reminded me of conservative muslim countries, it reminded me of the situation of women in poverty in African countries, and (perhaps worst of all) it reminds me of the views of the 45th president of the USA.

Attwood describes the sudden overturn of women’s status, an upheaval which makes our protagonist Offred realise everything she took for granted. Offred, often reminisces of her previous life: with a career, money in her own name, an education, a child, a husband who she loved and could challenge.

Trailer: The book has been made into a TV show on Hulu

In this new authoritarian society, a fertile woman’s duty is to get pregnant from someone (usually a stranger) deemed important enough to breed.

A woman’s life is centred around baby-making. Thus they were no longer taught to read or write, they did not speak unless spoken to, and they must never challenge authority.

Attwood skillfully immerses you in this world she imagined in 1986. Her imagining of a patriarchal society who tries to disempower women, so that they cannot even think the thoughts necessary to fight back. She demonstrates how women continue to exert power in whatever way they can. In a story, which often caused me some outrage, Attwood is subtly hopeful of the un-squashable resilience of human spirit.

Offred is relatable, even with that terrible name (which was given to her when she became a handmaid).

I dare you to imagine how you’d react in her situation and consider how differently you would act.

Consider how much of our lives we just accept, how much we repeat a cycle. It’s not the first time in history men have tried to dictate what women can do with their bodies. Even in the UK today, there are many concepts which implicitly undermine women, from their sexualisation in advertisements to the gender pay gap. 

Alhamdullilah, I feel like some of the world is waking up and these antiquated ideas are being challenged (with campaigns such as Run like a girl #fave).

Let it be known that we are a generation of women who have been fortunate enough to receive the training to become the tools of change.

It is our responsibility (and our duty to the women who fought for what we have today) to continue to improve the situation of women-kind.

Read a handmaid’s tale for all the feminist fuel it provides. We’re gonna need it in times like this.

Tay is currently studying medicine in London. Originally a brummie with plans on returning. Tay likes fashion, reading, taking pictures, being active in student politics and charity work. Her general motto of life is to make the most of opportunities that come your way, you never know where they might take you.