The Handmaid's Tale

By: Margaret Atwood

Narrated by: Claire Danes

Length: 11 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

Audie Award, Fiction, 2013

Margaret Atwood's popular dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale explores a broad range of issues relating to power, gender, and religious politics. Multiple Golden Globe award-winner Claire Danes (Romeo and Juliet, The Hours) gives a stirring performance of this classic in speculative fiction, one of the most powerful and widely read novels of our time.

After a staged terrorist attack kills the President and most of Congress, the government is deposed and taken over by the oppressive and all-controlling Republic of Gilead. Offred, now a Handmaid serving in the household of the enigmatic Commander and his bitter wife, can remember a time when she lived with her husband and daughter and had a job, before she lost even her own name. Despite the danger, Offred learns to navigate the intimate secrets of those who control her every move, risking her life in breaking the rules in hopes of ending this oppression.

Cover Art by Fred Marcellino. Used with permission of Pippin Properties, Inc.

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©1985 Margaret Atwood (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Claire Danes sparkles in this performance…Danes’s Offred is complex, and her flashes of intense strength highlight her vulnerability. This is a consuming listen, thanks to Danes’s emotional subtleties.” (AudioFile)

Very Interesting

I had to read this for a LIT class. I hate reading therefore I purchased this and the book. I loved the way Claire Read the book its makes more since when Offred emerging consciousness and flash backs arrive. As far as the novel I loved it until the end and was a disappointed however I am going to read the testaments.

True journey of literary entertainment

It’s funny how one forgets stories. I’d read The Handmaid’s Tale many years ago in high school but realized I couldn’t recall nearly any details of the story. I’m so glad I decided to refresh my memory with the audible addition. Claire Danes is beyond perfect in bringing Margaret Atwood’s words to life, expressing everything from feelings to rhythm. The story is still very interesting as a new world order fiction and sure to rile up many emotions, especially amongst female listeners. At least, it did for me.

Great Story, horrible performance

I wouldn't call this a performance as much as a reading. It's sort of monotone. If I didn't already like the story I would have returned this book immediately. it was not for me.

Torn

This was an excellent book. I didn’t like it. It didn’t make me feel good. But it did challenge me to look at the world with a different perspective. It was well written and well told.
It does not sit easy. I know that I will remember it for a long time. I will return to its details in my head. Would I recommend it? To some certainly, but not all.

A wonderfullycreative novel, incredible narration!

A great story but I cannot imagine it this good had it not been performed by Claire Danes, who by the way stars in the powerful political drama Homeland.

very odd book

I thought the reading was well done but didn't love the story. The final chapter was especially odd.

Ending

I liked the story. It kept my interest. I don’t as disappointed in the last chapter, the ending. I don’t know what I expected but it seemed so impersonal.

!

Claire Danes' reading of this incredible story was sublime. I feel anyone would enjoy this.

Better a movie

I felt like I was reading a movie or play manuscript . Hard to visualize the separation of female classes.

Awful

The characters are severely underdeveloped. And Danes is an uninspired, monotonous narrator. The book may be popular but it’s not very good.