Iam from Argentina a country neighbour to Chile. There was also a dictertorship here and 500 babaies were stolen by the military from kidnapped women. Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo are still trying to find them. They have already found 150 babies, that now are in their forties
It was a fast read , not convoluted or complex, but I love character driven novels and these characters were wonderfully developed. I cared about their stories, so it's a good book to me.
I thought it was brilliant and the plot complex. The characters were really well drawn. Aunt Lydia's character is so compelling: what a person that has garnered so much power might do.The characters were very well drawn. The story has all the tension of THT but with much more hope. Atwood is an astonishingly intelligent and brilliant writer.
Thank you for the very thoughtful and balanced review. I finished the book earlier today. MA in her 79th year offers us a fine sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. It is while perhaps not her best work still a wonderful, engaging novel. I have only read three (Ellmann, Rushdie and now Atwood) of the six Booker shortlisted novels. All three have been a joy. I would rank them - 1) Quichotte 2) Ducks, Newburyport 3) The Testaments All three are worthy of a Booker. Really appreciate the positive energy you bring to booktube.
Yes, absolutely still a wonderful read and gives lots to think about. Interesting to hear your favourites. I'd really recommend reading Evaristo's novel as well.
Great review as always, Eric! I just finished the book (I also reread The Handmaid’s Tale last week) and having seen the TV series, I am actually slightly shocked at how she chose to approach this sequel. The Testaments reads much more like a sequel to the TV series than to the original book. For starters the three narrators are all focal and integral characters in the show and as we know, Aunt Lydia is the only one mentioned in the HMT. I am still in disbelief that that is the direction Atwood took. I liked the book for what it was, but I think I enjoyed it more because I am a huge fan of the TV series and knew from the first 20 pages who everyone was and how they all related to each other (the relationships are a lot more explicit in the show). I had fun finding out what happened to them all those years later. With that said, I agree with many that a sequel was not needed and question Atwood’s timing. More so now, knowing she used the series as a sounding board for her ideas. I would have liked to see more original content, separate from the direction of the show.
I finished reading it last night. You nailed it on the head, the plot is clunky and a bit predictable. Like you, I don't feel entirely satisfied. I was gripped throughout, but I feel the first 70% of the novel was stronger and more interesting than the last 30% (which somehow felt very YA to me, perhaps because there was a focus on Agnes and Jade who had to get out of the difficult situation?). I often found myself thinking of more unpredictable solutions than the ones applied in the book. What I found very satisfying, though, was Atwood's sober and often dry language, which seems to wonderfully counterbalance the atrocious things happening or mentioned in the book.Thanks for sharing your thoughts:)
Thank you for articulating exactly what i was feeling. I just finished last night and was enthralled until the end. It did feel a bit YA and i was really wanting more of aunt lydia. Her story wrapped up top fast for me.
Loved hearing your thoughts on this. I too gave in (willingly) to the hype, and got up at 6am for the early release in my favourite bookstore. I am actually glad that Atwood went in a different direction with the sequel and didn't simply try to emulate what made the Handmaid's Tale so great. That being said, I couldn't help but constantly compare the two novels. I think our criticisms about the plot structure and the clearly telegraphed 'surprises' align quite closely. I was disappointed to find little left hanging and no surprises at the end of the novel. Aunt Lydia was a compelling character, and I would have happily read a whole book from her perspective alone. I was less convinced by Daisy's perspective, but liked reading about Agnes. I don't think that the book will win the prize, nor do I think it should have been shortlisted, but I'm really glad to have read it despite the problems that I had with it.
I've decided not to read it. The Handmaid's Tale was perfect as it was, I don't feel like I need any further explanation of the world Atwood created. I just want to leave it as it is. Great review though.
Indeed, although I'd say it's all right. It doesn't seem like a book that was rushed to make additional revenue. The whole perspective of Aunt Lydia and Offred's (?) daughters is developed very well, the message seems more hopeful and I do like how it is written, as I happened to read the Russian translation of The Handmaid's Tale and read The Testaments in English instead. I loved that neat ending with another transcript from the simposium on Gilead Studies and that remark that this theme became so popular, quite funny way to reflect how popular the whole universe has become.
@@joniheisenberg6691 It's thankfully a free world, where we can choose to do and NOT do as we wish. Regardless, I was correct, I have since read the full book and I didn't enjoy it at all, and I felt this book actually diminished the world that Atwood had created in THT.
I’m looking forward to reading it and I am ok that there is a follow up to Handmaids Tale. I always wonder as I am watching the series, how long that world can last and to know this book goes years in the future, is fascinating to me.
My copy of The Testaments should arrive today and I'm very excited to start reading it. I read THT last year for the first time and it simulated so much emotion for me. I'm happy you read it and did this video, your thoughts are always enjoyable to hear.
Was a little tiffed at the number of spoilers that was dropped at the Live Show - but I have very similar feelings to yours. Hoping to drop my review today. Great job! I am shocked at the movie you mentioned but also intrigued.
I was super excited when this book was announced, and when it came out. Literally, my jaw hit the floor when it was announced that Atwood would be writing about Gilead once more, and telling a further story in that world. I was so excited and I was anxious, too. I love the first novel, and as a writer myself, and someone heavily into modern politics, it was obvious that modern political occurrences inspired this novel - and I can't blame it, because the world is a foot away from that terrifying vision. I very much enjoyed the novel, but it was not without flaws. Some of it was quite predictable, and I wasn't as shocked as when I read The Handmaid's Tale; I think this is mainly due to having seen the show and such, that it was not as shocking as I wanted it to be. The writing, while sumptuous and definitely Atwood, had an unedited quality about it. It read very much like some strange fairy tale, but the three perspectives didn't quite gel together as I wanted to. If I had been given a novel entirely from the perspective of Aunt Lydia, then that would have been absolutely amazing; those chapters were a treat to read, because she is such a complex character, and I wanted to know what inspired her to be the way she is in the novel and the show. But the two younger characters, while relatable and all that, were marred a little by the modern sensibility. Their stories were a little predictable, but the story has the quality of a spy thriller in that world, and I loved that. While it isn't Atwood's best, it is still a very enjoyable novel, and I say it was money well spent. I too went to the cinema to see her talk about the novel; though my cinema was three quarters empty, if even that.
Very impressed you already finished! I know you addressed whether or not Testaments has a chance to win the Booker, but do you think it merited a slot in the shortlist?
Hmm, that's tricky. My personal shortlist would definitely have been different from the judges but I'd more readily take Quichotte or Orchestra of Minorities off the shortlist and replace it with Lost Children Archive or Lanny rather than take Testaments off. What do you think?
@@EricKarlAnderson I've still only read one book off the longlist (My Sister the Serial Killer), so all of my opinions are based on perception at this point, which doesn't seem fair. I hope to start diving in soon!
Thank you for the very fine review, Eric. I haven't received my copy of it yet (come on, Amazon!), but I am really looking forward to it. However, I think I am going to miss having Offred/June as a main character. We'll see! Most of all I am happy that there's a new Atwood book in the world! Always a cause for celebration, right?
I was really hoping you would get caught up in the excitement & post a review! I wasn't going to buy it immediately but saw it yesterday & couldn't resist - I have absolutely no self control. On a quick flick through I really like how it's set out & can see how that could make it a quick, compelling read. Think I'll dive in properly at the weekend.
I have been hearing alot about this book. I havent followed any of her work so wasnt quite sure what's the hype about but now that I've heard your review again very well done im thinking of checking her handmaids tale. I think i have seen one or two episodes on Netflix. Thanks Eric.
I should have it tomorrow, so very much excited to read it. I've just seen on @SavidgeReads Tracy Chevallier saying that she really loves it so far, there's a lot of criticism surrounding it but then again, as you mentioned, it will always be compared to this huge social phenomena Handmaid's Tale is.
Despite any criticism I have it was a complete pleasure to read both for the story and the Atwood's astute perceptions on the way totalitarian societies function so I'm sure you'll really enjoy it. Looking forward to hearing what you think!
Thanks Eric for your thoughts on this book. I will read it eventually, next year sometime. I am well over a third of the way through reading all 302 Booker Prize shortlisted books and I am a fan of Margaret Atwood. Cat’s Eye being my favourite. I have only read The Wall by John Lanchester which I thoroughly enjoyed. It didn’t have the zing of being a Booker Prize winner but still very good. I am 3 short of reading all the Booker Winners, which have never disappointed me. If I like a particular author I tend to read their other novels like you do with Joyce Carole Oates, (Blonde being my favourite). I’ve read most of J.M. Coetzee, Penelope Lively, Ian McEwan and Julian Barnes. I am trying to read all Salman Rushdie and Michael Ondaatje and John Banville but these writers, whilst they write beautifully, tend to be harder though very rewarding reads. Happy reading!
So impressive you're reading through the Booker novels so methodically! I still need to get to reading The Wall. And I agree about the difficulty of reading those authors though I find John Banville's writing so beautiful.
Fascinating project. I am also doing a Booker reading challenge, but just the winners for right now. Next year, I'd like to go year by year and read and compare the shortlisted books. Would love to hear your thoughts on the reviews I've posted on my channel if you've read those titles already and wishing you all the best on your reading adventures as well.
So good to hear a review of this at last, I've been so curious. Also happy to hear that Aunt Lydia gets a say this time. I agree that she's such an interesting character and I've loved what they've done with her in the series so it'll be fascinating to get Atwood's view on her as a character. :)
Great review... you got me even more excited then I was... I love Margaret Atwood's writing and ways of telling a story. I' m reading the Handmaid's Tale as I just saw thd TV series but wanted to read the book before diving in The Testaments.
Loved the thumbnail, Eric and the review wasn't bad either ;-) I'm not sure when I'll get to The Testaments because I'm one of those who believed that The Handmaid's Tale didn't need a sequel. Stories belong to the reader after the book is published and for one that inspired such connection, a follow-up will often disappoint. But we'll see if my thoughts change when I finally get to it.
Great review Eric, enjoyed listening to your take on the much anticipated sequel, and not giving away too many spoilers is a real talent:) One thing I was disappointed about was Aunt Lydia’s backstory in the book; the transition from a modern liberal woman to a tyrannical co-creator of the new system. I felt like it was a very weak attempt and it didn’t feel convincing enough for me. The way it was done in the tv show (as her backstory is different to the one in the book) was much better done and came across as a lot more realistic. I’d recommend watching the tv show and AL’s back story which is explored in season 3. I did enjoy however how she was able to a degree redeem herself at the end, although her motive wasn’t very clear. Was she trying to bring Gilead down or just cause a purge of immoral commanders and their wifes? After decades in power did AL actually believe and was a supporter of the regime, or was she just doing it to guarantee her survival (which I felt was the case when she was arrested and subsequently recruited)? I’d appreciate your thoughts on that matter:)
Thanks for the thoughtful reply! That's so interesting about how Aunt Lydia's story differs in the TV show. I'll be even more to watch it now to see how that plays out. I think in the novel her motives and real intentions are left deliberately ambiguous (and, of course, the way the discovery of her document is framed at the end of the novel calls into question whether it's actually her genuine account or not.) But my interpretation of her actions was that she was trying to exact her long-plotted revenge against Gilead and Commander Judd for forcing her into this position. I don't think she was a true believer as she was too savvy about the workings of totalitarian regimes but she did like the power it gave her and this must have induced a form of self-hatred. So I feel like she wanted to orchestrate her own downfall as well as that of the system she'd helped construct. I don't know if I entirely buy the trajectory Atwood has constructed for her because if she wanted to escape it surely she could have created a situation where she accompanies her pearl girls to Canada or some reason to leave Gilead and then she could run away, join the resistance or just escape. The more I think about it the more questions I have.
Eric Karl Anderson yeah I agree with you, she was clearly seeking revenge, as she was a long term supporter and Mayday collaborator (I think she came up with the idea of sending pearl girls just so that she could exchange intel with the resistance). It’s a shame we didn’t get to find out what happened to her after the collapse of Gilead, did she survive (all that intel/supporting mayday surely would have..to a degree exonerated her actions), as she was very much about survival and self preservation. Also, although she was important and had power, she was forced into it and had to obey the absolute rule of the men/commanders, otherwise she would have ended up on the wall.. it’s the well known ‘ I had to obey/follow orders, otherwise I’d have been killed myself’ scenario.. which has happened in the past; holocaust). I suspect tho that she perished with the other leaders/commanders of the regime.. as the symposium speaker didn’t really know much about her and her role in providing intel.. which suggests Anges and Nichole kept quiet about the identity of probably the most important mayday contact within Gilead. She was by far the most interesting character nevertheless:)
I just got my copy of Ducks, Newburyport in the mail yesterday and had to have help getting it up on my shelf! 🤭 I have The Testament waiting for me at my local bookstore. Just have to get there; it’s 30 miles away. Great review. Thank you.
I must be one of the only people who hasn't read The Handmaids Tale. It isn't a book that appealed to me really. I haven't watched the telly series either. I wanted to see what you had to say about this new book because I although not a fan have been caught up in the hype surrounding the book release. In Waterstones today people were going mad to get a copy of the new book. I have read mixed reviews of the book with some saying it is a let down and others saying there should never have been a sequel. You are never going to please everyone. It was great to hear your views though. Maybe I will give both books a try and see if I like them.
Hi Eric, I've just finished reading The Testaments, having not read The Handmaid's Tale or seen its television adaptation, but only after reading the plot synopsis on Wikipedia. So I had no personal biases based on prior expectations. I think that you are quite possibly a more generous person than I am! I completely agree with you that the plot is very predictable and too neat, but I also have other issues with the novel. As you state, there are three first person narrators, and although their spoken lexicons match their individual characters, I found that their internal thoughts strangely read as a single third person narrative. It's as though the author's own voice keeps butting in, which destroys the illusion of the passages being personal accounts. This brings me on to the another issue that I had. This 'third person narrator' just can't stop dolling out laboured exposition. It reminded me of reading children's literature and just left me feeling that there was nothing for me, the reader, to do. It made it difficult to engage with and sadly I got bored. I could have easily given up on novel halfway through. My driver for picking the book up in the first place is because for many years I have read the Booker Prize shortlisters. From my experience, I would say that The Testaments' inclusion is more to do with borrowed publicity than its literary value. This is the first of the six that I've read, but I think that I would safely say that it has no chance of winning. Salman Rushdie's Quichotte is up next for me...
Hello Betsy, I am planning to read The Handmaid's Tale in the new year, after the decorations have come down. My problems with The Testaments though are with its narrative, structure and characterisation. I could have mentioned issues in the novel's scaling, plot structure and lack of character evolution, but it all gets too much. In short, I found The Testaments very flawed. I'm currently reading Quichotte and the difference in quality is obvious. Quite a while back I did read The Blind Assassin (I even have a signed 1/1 edition), and so I know and admire the heights that Margaret Atwood is capable of. I suspect the issues with The Testaments stem from the reasons for writing it and the required schedule, to meet a window of opportunity, for doing so. She describes, in the acknowledgements, that she wanted to answer readers' questions concerning what happened after The Handmaid's Tale. This (along with a 30 odd year gap) would show that the sequel was an afterthought - bolted on the back like a white plastic conservatory. I also suspect that the timing of the sequel is due to heightened public awareness of the original since Trump became US President; which in turn has spurned a TV adaption; which I note has already stated it will incorporate the sequel into future series. I suspect that in order to get the novel out to deadline (a week after the Booker Prize shortlist was announced, as it was) it was probably rushed. To wait another year would risk Trump being on the verge of being ousted from office, and probably mess with TV scripting deadlines. Why not cash in when the going's good? The marketing circus is in town: midnight bookshop openings; cinematic readings starring a well known actress; even the novel's hardcovers are embossed with arty designs and bound with a lovely lime green ribbon. So yes, I will be reading The Handmaid's Tale, and I truly hope that it is as good as I'm led to believe, but it simply can't cast a more sympathetic light on The Testaments.
Superb review, and well done on a super fast read through and video review (LOVE the green hoodie)! I enjoyed all the marketing hooha on twitter & elsewhere. Am blessed to have a bookshop almost on my doorstep so could almost fall out of bed and buy the book on publication morning. I have Rushdie's 'Quichotte' and Ellmann's 'Ducks, Newburyport' as well so that's my reading for the month taken care of. In terms of my Booker experience, that probably means none of the three will win - I virtually never manage to read the winner before the prize announcement.
I also re-read Handmaids in prep for this sequel. A few months ago I read Kingsley Amis's 'The Old Devils' which beat Atwood to the Booker in 1986. I wasn't expecting much from it, but found it really quite impressive - and also dealing with the problems of aging. What really shone out was Amis's searing honesty about his own personal circumstances and end-life regrets, which I found moving. It's pretty much forgotten and unread these days, so in a way I'm glad it's claim to history is secured by its Booker win, whereas of course 'The Handmaids' has achieved its totemic status over the years on its own merits.
Thank you! 💚 And I love the idea of falling out of bed and buying a new book! Hope you enjoy the books! You know I think Ellmann has a strong chance of winning so fingers crossed you'll have read the winner!
@@hedgiecc Yeah, that's really interesting to think about. How a Booker winner might not be the most well read or influential but it's status as a winner means it's one that at least some people will return to. And I've never read any Kingsley Amis so I really ought to.
I just dont understand tge point of Nicole needing to go to Gilead just to be smuggled back out. Like she could have just given in info to the pearl girls i dont know maybe i need to read it again
Hi Eric I really liked your video and as The Testaments is my first book that I am reading in my life so can you please suggest some more best books to read 🙏
I finally read this- I was so nervous about reading it. I loved Handmaid's Tale and didn't want a sequel to ruin it for me. I think the sequel was handled very well. Loved that you still feel like you don't know everything when it ends, but, you know more.
Loved the cinema stream last night! Ann Dowd was amazing. I haven’t watched the tv show, so I was watching it blown away by how she got the character just right lol. Waiting for my copy to show up. Hating myself for not paying extra for first class delivery from Foyles with the pin badge!
Thank you! Been looking forward to the first lot of reactions! Interesting thoughts re Booker Prize - I'm curious to see what the judges are going to be looking for in the winner this year. Difficult to look at The Testaments just as one piece of work in a vaccuum...feel like it's already had such wide-ranging impact. Wonder if any of that will factor..!
Yeah, that's really interesting. I mean, it's impossible to think of The Testaments without considering the first novel or the wider impact that novel has had on popular culture and politics.
@@EricKarlAnderson And also the huge anticipation surrounding its launch! Like, the effect the very existence of it has had on the public etc... I'd love to be in that room to see by what measure the winner is chosen...!
Although I enjoy the book, I must admit I really would’ve liked to of seen the fall of Gilead and all of these wicked commanders. I would’ve liked to seen the family reunited Luke and Daisy and June which was her real name. I guess it’s kind of implied but I would’ve really liked to have seen how it all came together.
Although I’m a fan of Margaret Atwood’s fiction, I’ve never read The Handmaid’s Tale though I did watch the first season of the show. I think I’d probably read the original before deciding on reading this one but thank you for your excellent review and telling us about the live screening Eric. I wonder if there is the possibility that although it’s not the best book it might still win the Booker as a kind of body of work award that sometimes seems to happen with prizes, do you think that’s a possibility?
Even though you've watched the show I'd definitely recommend reading the original novel as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it! Yeah, interesting point. That does happen with prizes sometimes but Atwood has already won the Booker before so it'd be strange to give her the award to honour her career. So if it does win I don't think it'll be for that reason.
I went to a live stream of that last night too. Wasn’t it brilliant! I was utterly engrossed. Except there was a fair bit of rustling in the empty row in front of me and I did wonder if there was a mouse problem. But anyway, Margaret Atwood has such a keen wit doesn’t she....you say about her writing being influenced by her age in some ways..I would love to see more of this.nolder people are seldom tackled well and it is good to see people writing about older people from experience
I have the same beaten up paperback edition. The spine has now compeltely broken :-O Sadly The Testaments totally wasn't worth it to me. Couldn't connect to any of the characters, just didn't seem to care about these characters and what would happen to them. I'll pretend this one didn't happen. Much like with 'Go Set a Watchman'
Loved The Testaments, more than the original Handmaid's Tale. The Handmaid's Tale is still a brilliant book and deserves it's place for it's commentary on cultural and institutionalised tyrannical treatment of women. But The Testament's place on the Booker Shortlist is very controversial in terms of it's literary merit. There are far more crossing the literary boundaries books on there. Ducks for example.
Iam from Argentina a country neighbour to Chile. There was also a dictertorship here and 500 babaies were stolen by the military from kidnapped women. Abuelas de Plaza de Mayo are still trying to find them. They have already found 150 babies, that now are in their forties
That is unimaginably harrowing.
Wow. I didn’t know about this. Looks like I found my new read this week
It was a fast read , not convoluted or complex, but I love character driven novels and these characters were wonderfully developed. I cared about their stories, so it's a good book to me.
I thought it was brilliant and the plot complex. The characters were really well drawn. Aunt Lydia's character is so compelling: what a person that has garnered so much power might do.The characters were very well drawn. The story has all the tension of THT but with much more hope. Atwood is an astonishingly intelligent and brilliant writer.
I'll read this in October if it wins the Booker. Otherwise, I'll read it whenever the mood moves me to do so. You look good in green!
Thanks! 💚
Thank you for the very thoughtful and balanced review. I finished the book earlier today. MA in her 79th year offers us a fine sequel to The Handmaid's Tale. It is while perhaps not her best work still a wonderful, engaging novel.
I have only read three (Ellmann, Rushdie and now Atwood) of the six Booker shortlisted novels. All three have been a joy. I would rank them - 1) Quichotte
2) Ducks, Newburyport
3) The Testaments
All three are worthy of a Booker.
Really appreciate the positive energy you bring to booktube.
Yes, absolutely still a wonderful read and gives lots to think about. Interesting to hear your favourites. I'd really recommend reading Evaristo's novel as well.
Great review as always, Eric! I just finished the book (I also reread The Handmaid’s Tale last week) and having seen the TV series, I am actually slightly shocked at how she chose to approach this sequel. The Testaments reads much more like a sequel to the TV series than to the original book. For starters the three narrators are all focal and integral characters in the show and as we know, Aunt Lydia is the only one mentioned in the HMT. I am still in disbelief that that is the direction Atwood took. I liked the book for what it was, but I think I enjoyed it more because I am a huge fan of the TV series and knew from the first 20 pages who everyone was and how they all related to each other (the relationships are a lot more explicit in the show). I had fun finding out what happened to them all those years later. With that said, I agree with many that a sequel was not needed and question Atwood’s timing. More so now, knowing she used the series as a sounding board for her ideas. I would have liked to see more original content, separate from the direction of the show.
I finished reading it last night. You nailed it on the head, the plot is clunky and a bit predictable. Like you, I don't feel entirely satisfied. I was gripped throughout, but I feel the first 70% of the novel was stronger and more interesting than the last 30% (which somehow felt very YA to me, perhaps because there was a focus on Agnes and Jade who had to get out of the difficult situation?). I often found myself thinking of more unpredictable solutions than the ones applied in the book. What I found very satisfying, though, was Atwood's sober and often dry language, which seems to wonderfully counterbalance the atrocious things happening or mentioned in the book.Thanks for sharing your thoughts:)
Thank you for articulating exactly what i was feeling. I just finished last night and was enthralled until the end. It did feel a bit YA and i was really wanting more of aunt lydia. Her story wrapped up top fast for me.
I completely agree with this! Glad I’m not the only one.
I knew I could count on you, Eric! 👍🏻👍🏻
Haha! Thanks! 💚
Loved hearing your thoughts on this. I too gave in (willingly) to the hype, and got up at 6am for the early release in my favourite bookstore. I am actually glad that Atwood went in a different direction with the sequel and didn't simply try to emulate what made the Handmaid's Tale so great. That being said, I couldn't help but constantly compare the two novels. I think our criticisms about the plot structure and the clearly telegraphed 'surprises' align quite closely. I was disappointed to find little left hanging and no surprises at the end of the novel. Aunt Lydia was a compelling character, and I would have happily read a whole book from her perspective alone. I was less convinced by Daisy's perspective, but liked reading about Agnes. I don't think that the book will win the prize, nor do I think it should have been shortlisted, but I'm really glad to have read it despite the problems that I had with it.
I've decided not to read it. The Handmaid's Tale was perfect as it was, I don't feel like I need any further explanation of the world Atwood created. I just want to leave it as it is.
Great review though.
Fair enough.
Indeed, although I'd say it's all right. It doesn't seem like a book that was rushed to make additional revenue. The whole perspective of Aunt Lydia and Offred's (?) daughters is developed very well, the message seems more hopeful and I do like how it is written, as I happened to read the Russian translation of The Handmaid's Tale and read The Testaments in English instead.
I loved that neat ending with another transcript from the simposium on Gilead Studies and that remark that this theme became so popular, quite funny way to reflect how popular the whole universe has become.
Gilead much ? Pretty close minded Emma Jo.
@@joniheisenberg6691 It's thankfully a free world, where we can choose to do and NOT do as we wish.
Regardless, I was correct, I have since read the full book and I didn't enjoy it at all, and I felt this book actually diminished the world that Atwood had created in THT.
That's how I felt about when the sequel for To Kill a Mockingbird came out. However, this I couldn't resist
I’m looking forward to reading it and I am ok that there is a follow up to Handmaids Tale. I always wonder as I am watching the series, how long that world can last and to know this book goes years in the future, is fascinating to me.
My copy of The Testaments should arrive today and I'm very excited to start reading it. I read THT last year for the first time and it simulated so much emotion for me. I'm happy you read it and did this video, your thoughts are always enjoyable to hear.
Thank you! Hope you enjoy it!
Was a little tiffed at the number of spoilers that was dropped at the Live Show - but I have very similar feelings to yours. Hoping to drop my review today. Great job! I am shocked at the movie you mentioned but also intrigued.
Great, I'll go watch your review now!
I loved your review!
I was super excited when this book was announced, and when it came out. Literally, my jaw hit the floor when it was announced that Atwood would be writing about Gilead once more, and telling a further story in that world. I was so excited and I was anxious, too. I love the first novel, and as a writer myself, and someone heavily into modern politics, it was obvious that modern political occurrences inspired this novel - and I can't blame it, because the world is a foot away from that terrifying vision.
I very much enjoyed the novel, but it was not without flaws. Some of it was quite predictable, and I wasn't as shocked as when I read The Handmaid's Tale; I think this is mainly due to having seen the show and such, that it was not as shocking as I wanted it to be.
The writing, while sumptuous and definitely Atwood, had an unedited quality about it. It read very much like some strange fairy tale, but the three perspectives didn't quite gel together as I wanted to. If I had been given a novel entirely from the perspective of Aunt Lydia, then that would have been absolutely amazing; those chapters were a treat to read, because she is such a complex character, and I wanted to know what inspired her to be the way she is in the novel and the show.
But the two younger characters, while relatable and all that, were marred a little by the modern sensibility. Their stories were a little predictable, but the story has the quality of a spy thriller in that world, and I loved that. While it isn't Atwood's best, it is still a very enjoyable novel, and I say it was money well spent. I too went to the cinema to see her talk about the novel; though my cinema was three quarters empty, if even that.
Very impressed you already finished! I know you addressed whether or not Testaments has a chance to win the Booker, but do you think it merited a slot in the shortlist?
Hmm, that's tricky. My personal shortlist would definitely have been different from the judges but I'd more readily take Quichotte or Orchestra of Minorities off the shortlist and replace it with Lost Children Archive or Lanny rather than take Testaments off. What do you think?
@@EricKarlAnderson I've still only read one book off the longlist (My Sister the Serial Killer), so all of my opinions are based on perception at this point, which doesn't seem fair. I hope to start diving in soon!
Thank you for the very fine review, Eric. I haven't received my copy of it yet (come on, Amazon!), but I am really looking forward to it. However, I think I am going to miss having Offred/June as a main character. We'll see! Most of all I am happy that there's a new Atwood book in the world! Always a cause for celebration, right?
Absolutely! Hope you enjoy it!
I was really hoping you would get caught up in the excitement & post a review! I wasn't going to buy it immediately but saw it yesterday & couldn't resist - I have absolutely no self control. On a quick flick through I really like how it's set out & can see how that could make it a quick, compelling read. Think I'll dive in properly at the weekend.
I know, so hard not to resist jumping on the bandwagon. But it's fun! Hope you enjoy it.
I have been hearing alot about this book. I havent followed any of her work so wasnt quite sure what's the hype about but now that I've heard your review again very well done im thinking of checking her handmaids tale. I think i have seen one or two episodes on Netflix. Thanks Eric.
I should have it tomorrow, so very much excited to read it. I've just seen on @SavidgeReads Tracy Chevallier saying that she really loves it so far, there's a lot of criticism surrounding it but then again, as you mentioned, it will always be compared to this huge social phenomena Handmaid's Tale is.
Despite any criticism I have it was a complete pleasure to read both for the story and the Atwood's astute perceptions on the way totalitarian societies function so I'm sure you'll really enjoy it. Looking forward to hearing what you think!
Thanks Eric for your thoughts on this book. I will read it eventually, next year sometime. I am well over a third of the way through reading all 302 Booker Prize shortlisted books and I am a fan of Margaret Atwood. Cat’s Eye being my favourite. I have only read The Wall by John Lanchester which I thoroughly enjoyed. It didn’t have the zing of being a Booker Prize winner but still very good. I am 3 short of reading all the Booker Winners, which have never disappointed me. If I like a particular author I tend to read their other novels like you do with Joyce Carole Oates, (Blonde being my favourite). I’ve read most of J.M. Coetzee, Penelope Lively, Ian McEwan and Julian Barnes. I am trying to read all Salman Rushdie and Michael Ondaatje and John Banville but these writers, whilst they write beautifully, tend to be harder though very rewarding reads. Happy reading!
So impressive you're reading through the Booker novels so methodically!
I still need to get to reading The Wall.
And I agree about the difficulty of reading those authors though I find John Banville's writing so beautiful.
Fascinating project. I am also doing a Booker reading challenge, but just the winners for right now. Next year, I'd like to go year by year and read and compare the shortlisted books. Would love to hear your thoughts on the reviews I've posted on my channel if you've read those titles already and wishing you all the best on your reading adventures as well.
So good to hear a review of this at last, I've been so curious. Also happy to hear that Aunt Lydia gets a say this time. I agree that she's such an interesting character and I've loved what they've done with her in the series so it'll be fascinating to get Atwood's view on her as a character. :)
I'm really excited to watch the series now to see how it goes off in different ways.
You deserve a prize for getting this review up so fast! My takeaway is that I need to watch Compliance. I just watched the trailer and DANG.
I'd love a trophy! Where's my trophy?! 🤣
Yeah, Compliance is a horrifically arresting story and I'd think it was absurd if it didn't actually happen.
Great review... you got me even more excited then I was... I love Margaret Atwood's writing and ways of telling a story. I' m reading the Handmaid's Tale as I just saw thd TV series but wanted to read the book before diving in The Testaments.
Definitely worth going back to the original book. Hope you enjoy The Testaments!
Loved the thumbnail, Eric and the review wasn't bad either ;-) I'm not sure when I'll get to The Testaments because I'm one of those who believed that The Handmaid's Tale didn't need a sequel. Stories belong to the reader after the book is published and for one that inspired such connection, a follow-up will often disappoint. But we'll see if my thoughts change when I finally get to it.
Thank you and yes, that's very well said. But I look forward to hearing what you think when you get to it one day. :)
Eric that would’ve been exciting to see the Margaret Atwood’s interview on the cinema
Great review Eric, enjoyed listening to your take on the much anticipated sequel, and not giving away too many spoilers is a real talent:) One thing I was disappointed about was Aunt Lydia’s backstory in the book; the transition from a modern liberal woman to a tyrannical co-creator of the new system. I felt like it was a very weak attempt and it didn’t feel convincing enough for me. The way it was done in the tv show (as her backstory is different to the one in the book) was much better done and came across as a lot more realistic. I’d recommend watching the tv show and AL’s back story which is explored in season 3. I did enjoy however how she was able to a degree redeem herself at the end, although her motive wasn’t very clear. Was she trying to bring Gilead down or just cause a purge of immoral commanders and their wifes? After decades in power did AL actually believe and was a supporter of the regime, or was she just doing it to guarantee her survival (which I felt was the case when she was arrested and subsequently recruited)? I’d appreciate your thoughts on that matter:)
Thanks for the thoughtful reply! That's so interesting about how Aunt Lydia's story differs in the TV show. I'll be even more to watch it now to see how that plays out. I think in the novel her motives and real intentions are left deliberately ambiguous (and, of course, the way the discovery of her document is framed at the end of the novel calls into question whether it's actually her genuine account or not.) But my interpretation of her actions was that she was trying to exact her long-plotted revenge against Gilead and Commander Judd for forcing her into this position. I don't think she was a true believer as she was too savvy about the workings of totalitarian regimes but she did like the power it gave her and this must have induced a form of self-hatred. So I feel like she wanted to orchestrate her own downfall as well as that of the system she'd helped construct. I don't know if I entirely buy the trajectory Atwood has constructed for her because if she wanted to escape it surely she could have created a situation where she accompanies her pearl girls to Canada or some reason to leave Gilead and then she could run away, join the resistance or just escape. The more I think about it the more questions I have.
Eric Karl Anderson yeah I agree with you, she was clearly seeking revenge, as she was a long term supporter and Mayday collaborator (I think she came up with the idea of sending pearl girls just so that she could exchange intel with the resistance). It’s a shame we didn’t get to find out what happened to her after the collapse of Gilead, did she survive (all that intel/supporting mayday surely would have..to a degree exonerated her actions), as she was very much about survival and self preservation. Also, although she was important and had power, she was forced into it and had to obey the absolute rule of the men/commanders, otherwise she would have ended up on the wall.. it’s the well known ‘ I had to obey/follow orders, otherwise I’d have been killed myself’ scenario.. which has happened in the past; holocaust). I suspect tho that she perished with the other leaders/commanders of the regime.. as the symposium speaker didn’t really know much about her and her role in providing intel.. which suggests Anges and Nichole kept quiet about the identity of probably the most important mayday contact within Gilead. She was by far the most interesting character nevertheless:)
@@pol85eu89 I bet fans will now be hounding Atwood to write a third book so we can find out what happens to Lydia! :)
I just got my copy of Ducks, Newburyport in the mail yesterday and had to have help getting it up on my shelf! 🤭 I have The Testament waiting for me at my local bookstore. Just have to get there; it’s 30 miles away. Great review. Thank you.
Hope you enjoy them both! And yeah, lifting Ducks up to read it makes it's own kind of physical workout!
I have not read any of Atwoods books, but look foward to reading them in the future.They are on my tbr.I really liked your review!
I must be one of the only people who hasn't read The Handmaids Tale. It isn't a book that appealed to me really. I haven't watched the telly series either. I wanted to see what you had to say about this new book because I although not a fan have been caught up in the hype surrounding the book release. In Waterstones today people were going mad to get a copy of the new book. I have read mixed reviews of the book with some saying it is a let down and others saying there should never have been a sequel. You are never going to please everyone. It was great to hear your views though. Maybe I will give both books a try and see if I like them.
I think it's definitely worth giving them a try!
Hi Eric, I've just finished reading The Testaments, having not read The Handmaid's Tale or seen its television adaptation, but only after reading the plot synopsis on Wikipedia. So I had no personal biases based on prior expectations.
I think that you are quite possibly a more generous person than I am! I completely agree with you that the plot is very predictable and too neat, but I also have other issues with the novel.
As you state, there are three first person narrators, and although their spoken lexicons match their individual characters, I found that their internal thoughts strangely read as a single third person narrative. It's as though the author's own voice keeps butting in, which destroys the illusion of the passages being personal accounts.
This brings me on to the another issue that I had. This 'third person narrator' just can't stop dolling out laboured exposition. It reminded me of reading children's literature and just left me feeling that there was nothing for me, the reader, to do. It made it difficult to engage with and sadly I got bored. I could have easily given up on novel halfway through.
My driver for picking the book up in the first place is because for many years I have read the Booker Prize shortlisters. From my experience, I would say that The Testaments' inclusion is more to do with borrowed publicity than its literary value. This is the first of the six that I've read, but I think that I would safely say that it has no chance of winning.
Salman Rushdie's Quichotte is up next for me...
Hello Betsy, I am planning to read The Handmaid's Tale in the new year, after the decorations have come down.
My problems with The Testaments though are with its narrative, structure and characterisation. I could have mentioned issues in the novel's scaling, plot structure and lack of character evolution, but it all gets too much. In short, I found The Testaments very flawed. I'm currently reading Quichotte and the difference in quality is obvious.
Quite a while back I did read The Blind Assassin (I even have a signed 1/1 edition), and so I know and admire the heights that Margaret Atwood is capable of.
I suspect the issues with The Testaments stem from the reasons for writing it and the required schedule, to meet a window of opportunity, for doing so.
She describes, in the acknowledgements, that she wanted to answer readers' questions concerning what happened after The Handmaid's Tale. This (along with a 30 odd year gap) would show that the sequel was an afterthought - bolted on the back like a white plastic conservatory.
I also suspect that the timing of the sequel is due to heightened public awareness of the original since Trump became US President; which in turn has spurned a TV adaption; which I note has already stated it will incorporate the sequel into future series. I suspect that in order to get the novel out to deadline (a week after the Booker Prize shortlist was announced, as it was) it was probably rushed. To wait another year would risk Trump being on the verge of being ousted from office, and probably mess with TV scripting deadlines.
Why not cash in when the going's good? The marketing circus is in town: midnight bookshop openings; cinematic readings starring a well known actress; even the novel's hardcovers are embossed with arty designs and bound with a lovely lime green ribbon.
So yes, I will be reading The Handmaid's Tale, and I truly hope that it is as good as I'm led to believe, but it simply can't cast a more sympathetic light on The Testaments.
Superb review, and well done on a super fast read through and video review (LOVE the green hoodie)! I enjoyed all the marketing hooha on twitter & elsewhere. Am blessed to have a bookshop almost on my doorstep so could almost fall out of bed and buy the book on publication morning. I have Rushdie's 'Quichotte' and Ellmann's 'Ducks, Newburyport' as well so that's my reading for the month taken care of. In terms of my Booker experience, that probably means none of the three will win - I virtually never manage to read the winner before the prize announcement.
I also re-read Handmaids in prep for this sequel. A few months ago I read Kingsley Amis's 'The Old Devils' which beat Atwood to the Booker in 1986. I wasn't expecting much from it, but found it really quite impressive - and also dealing with the problems of aging. What really shone out was Amis's searing honesty about his own personal circumstances and end-life regrets, which I found moving. It's pretty much forgotten and unread these days, so in a way I'm glad it's claim to history is secured by its Booker win, whereas of course 'The Handmaids' has achieved its totemic status over the years on its own merits.
Thank you! 💚 And I love the idea of falling out of bed and buying a new book!
Hope you enjoy the books! You know I think Ellmann has a strong chance of winning so fingers crossed you'll have read the winner!
@@hedgiecc Yeah, that's really interesting to think about. How a Booker winner might not be the most well read or influential but it's status as a winner means it's one that at least some people will return to. And I've never read any Kingsley Amis so I really ought to.
I just dont understand tge point of Nicole needing to go to Gilead just to be smuggled back out. Like she could have just given in info to the pearl girls i dont know maybe i need to read it again
I'm reading the testaments and enjoying it. I thought I'd let you know Eric that I'm halfway through the book.
I’m glad you’re enjoying it!
Hi Eric I really liked your video and as The Testaments is my first book that I am reading in my life so can you please suggest some more best books to read 🙏
Gosh, well then you might like to try Joyce Carol Oates' novel The Gravedigger's Daughter. One of my favourites!
I finally read this- I was so nervous about reading it. I loved Handmaid's Tale and didn't want a sequel to ruin it for me. I think the sequel was handled very well. Loved that you still feel like you don't know everything when it ends, but, you know more.
Loved the cinema stream last night! Ann Dowd was amazing. I haven’t watched the tv show, so I was watching it blown away by how she got the character just right lol. Waiting for my copy to show up. Hating myself for not paying extra for first class delivery from Foyles with the pin badge!
Yes, she really embodies that character as I imagine her!
It'll be worth it to get the badge though. I'd like one of those!
Thank you! Been looking forward to the first lot of reactions! Interesting thoughts re Booker Prize - I'm curious to see what the judges are going to be looking for in the winner this year. Difficult to look at The Testaments just as one piece of work in a vaccuum...feel like it's already had such wide-ranging impact. Wonder if any of that will factor..!
Yeah, that's really interesting. I mean, it's impossible to think of The Testaments without considering the first novel or the wider impact that novel has had on popular culture and politics.
@@EricKarlAnderson And also the huge anticipation surrounding its launch! Like, the effect the very existence of it has had on the public etc... I'd love to be in that room to see by what measure the winner is chosen...!
Although I enjoy the book, I must admit I really would’ve liked to of seen the fall of Gilead and all of these wicked commanders. I would’ve liked to seen the family reunited Luke and Daisy and June which was her real name. I guess it’s kind of implied but I would’ve really liked to have seen how it all came together.
Although I’m a fan of Margaret Atwood’s fiction, I’ve never read The Handmaid’s Tale though I did watch the first season of the show. I think I’d probably read the original before deciding on reading this one but thank you for your excellent review and telling us about the live screening Eric. I wonder if there is the possibility that although it’s not the best book it might still win the Booker as a kind of body of work award that sometimes seems to happen with prizes, do you think that’s a possibility?
Even though you've watched the show I'd definitely recommend reading the original novel as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Yeah, interesting point. That does happen with prizes sometimes but Atwood has already won the Booker before so it'd be strange to give her the award to honour her career. So if it does win I don't think it'll be for that reason.
Oh yes, I’d forgotten she’d won before. At this point I don’t think anything will beat Ducks but it’s the Booker so you never know!
I thought you were Charlie from its always sunny for a moment
I got a free copy of this book but I guess I should read the first one before starting this new one.
Sublime thumbnail!
I aspire to ascend to divinity!
I went to a live stream of that last night too. Wasn’t it brilliant! I was utterly engrossed. Except there was a fair bit of rustling in the empty row in front of me and I did wonder if there was a mouse problem.
But anyway, Margaret Atwood has such a keen wit doesn’t she....you say about her writing being influenced by her age in some ways..I would love to see more of this.nolder people are seldom tackled well and it is good to see people writing about older people from experience
I could listen to Atwood's voice for hours. It's so monotone and droll and that makes it incredibly funny.
oooh theyre gonna finish wolf hall?
I’m now at chapter 24 in the testaments
I had to stop watching because I need to read The Handmaid’s Tale first but oooooo I’m excited!!
Ooh yes! Read them together. Great experience! Hope you enjoy.
I have the same beaten up paperback edition. The spine has now compeltely broken :-O
Sadly The Testaments totally wasn't worth it to me. Couldn't connect to any of the characters, just didn't seem to care about these characters and what would happen to them. I'll pretend this one didn't happen. Much like with 'Go Set a Watchman'
When will u review Find Me lol I’m excited about this book
I was just talking about reading it alongside someone a couple days ago! Hope to start it this weekend!
Eric Karl Anderson looking forward to it!
I've finished a few hours ago.
It's a good book - not a great book.
Loved The Testaments, more than the original Handmaid's Tale. The Handmaid's Tale is still a brilliant book and deserves it's place for it's commentary on cultural and institutionalised tyrannical treatment of women.
But The Testament's place on the Booker Shortlist is very controversial in terms of it's literary merit. There are far more crossing the literary boundaries books on there. Ducks for example.
That face!
Isn't she GORGEOUS?!?! 😂
You’re just awesome, loved listening to your review. Thanks!
Thank you! 📚
Atwood claim is over rated.
Lay off the estrogen
Lay off the soy