The Handmaid's Tale

Special Edition

By: Margaret Atwood, Valerie Martin - essay

Narrated by: Claire Danes, Ray Porter, Margaret Atwood, Tim Gerard Reynolds, full cast

"Are there any questions?" The final line in Margaret Atwood's modern classic, The Handmaid's Tale, has teased and perplexed fans since the book's original release more than 30 years ago. Now, in this Audible Original production, listeners get some of the answers they've waited so long to hear.

Featuring an all-new interview with Professor Piexoto, written by Atwood and performed by a full cast, The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition is a must-listen for both fans and newcomers alike. Emmy Award winner Claire Danes (Homeland, Temple Grandin) gives a stirring performance of this classic in speculative fiction, where the message (and the warning) is now more timely than ever. In addition to rich sound design that honors the audio origins of Atwood's classic, the special edition also includes a brand-new afterword from the author and an essay written by author Valerie Martin (Mary Reilly, Property).

After a violent coup in the United States overthrows the Constitution and ushers in a new government regime, the Republic of Gilead imposes subservient roles on all women. Offred, now a Handmaid tasked with the singular role of procreation in the childless 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 everything, even her own name. Despite the danger, Offred learns to navigate the intimate secrets of those who control her every move, risking her life for mere glimpses of her former freedom, and records her story for future listeners.

Whether you're a fan of the original novel or someone who has recently discovered it, The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition will shock, impress, and satisfy all those who listen.

©1985 O.W. Toad, Ltd. First American Edition 1986. Published by special arrangement with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. (P)2017 Audible, Inc.

Great and timely book

Excellent and detailed story that shows us how history and the future merge together to better understand issues that are both timely and relevant in today's world.

Loved it, but one thing irked me

Clair Danes is a master narrator. I was drawn in to the story. Made to believe I could actually be hearing a firsthand account.

The one thing that bothered me was the chapter Intros. The solemn reading of the chapter number often followed by the audible click of a cassette player to play a brief clip of music, and another click to stop the music. It feels jarring. Unpolished without being purposeful. Rather than feeling jarred in the sense of "This is breifly putting the listener back into the time frame this fictional woman lived and lost", it feels like something you'd do as an angsty teen to try and add weight to a self-recorded oration of poems you'd written, without trying to edit the music in after like you would for a mix tape. Your friend is in on it. She reads the titles of each poem and runs the other cassette player. It's the kind of "serious" thing you get REALLY into at the time, but when you and your friend listen to it again as adults, it's just painfully funny.

whoa¡

In the late 1980's I saw a movie similar to the book. I prefer the book. Subjugation and oppression for the baby makers, history sounding off in fiction.

Extraordinary

I've heard the title but had yet to read the book. Audible made it possible. I am speechless, and worried.

Could this happen? It felt so real.

Clare Danes did justice to this story. I hope to listen to other audio books narrated by her.

Excellent!

A gripping performance of Atwood's novel. this edition has the added bonus of an afterword by the author and a reflective essay by a critic.