Review of “The Testaments” by Margaret Atwood

People who know me know me well, know that one thing I really like is a good dystopia. Whether it’s zombies ripping people to shreds or women imprisoned in a system where they serve no purpose other than to breed. Like, what is there not to like.

I’m a big fan of the tv series “The Handmaids Tale” but I only found the acclaimed novel so-so. So, I wasn’t quite sure what I’d make of the Booker Prize winning “The Testaments”. It is a prize I’d love to win myself someday!

Well, I don’t think I have ever read a book so fast. I could barely leave the book down. Firstly, it’s not what I would have expected. It’s a sequel to both the novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” and the TV series. I thought it was going to be a regurgitation of the second series, but no it is entirely original.

Aunt Lydia is just brilliant in this novel and by far the most interesting character. You get to see that she was playing the long game all along, which is an interesting twist. She is far more intelligent than has been let on till now.

This dynamic is a bit unusual for such a feminist novel. We’re back to a woman gaining power over men through the use of her wit. In more modern novels/tv, female and male charactars tend to ape one another.

You also learn much more about the inner workings of Gilead and the existential problems it faced. Like, all imaginary worlds it doesn’t take long to think of questions that would limit their stability. Gilead is no exception. The demeaning of women has led to them abandoning the sinking ship

I can see this having further tv show potential. She has brought the story on again. Although it’s just as likely it will go in a totally different direction.

For my regular readers I am now throwing in a short poem. My first foray into poetry. Please do let me know what you think –

Meaning by Mark Ahern

Tick tock that is the sound of the beating clock 

Tick tock we grow old wither and die 

Tick tock the universe forever expands 

Tick tock a new infant is born 

Tick tock love blossoms and bloom 

Friendships are won and lost  

Fortunes are gathered and blown 

Tick tock enjoy each second you have