The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition

By: Margaret Atwood, Valerie Martin - essay

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

"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.

The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition features performances by Claire Danes, Margaret Atwood, Emily Bauer, Allyson Johnson, Gabra Zackman, Suzanne Toren, Tim Gerard Reynolds, Jennifer Van Dyck, Ray Porter, Emily Cox, Lauren Fortgang, Dan Reiss, Prentice Onayemi, Therese Plummer, and Mark Boyett.

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

Critic reviews

"Thanks to Audible, you can now pick up a new Special Edition of The Handmaid's Tale to get caught up to speed on the story of Offred, brought to life in this audiobook version by none other than Claire Danes. (Suddenly our heads are spinning with crossover potential.) Aside from the impressive voice acting alone, this audio update also contains new scenes that actually extend the story beyond the original last line of the novel." (Nerdist)

"This highly pertinent, ingeniously conceived production deepens the original work and even surpasses it." (The Washington Post)

"Danes has a calm, still voice that perfectly suits the protagonist.... So what is 'special' and new about this edition? Most of it has to do with material at the end of the book. Previous readers of the book will know that there is an afterword set centuries after the events told in the rest of the novel; it takes the form of an academic lecture that describes finding Offred's story. She never wrote it down; rather, she recorded it over a bunch of music cassette tapes. This edition actually begins each section of the novel with the sound of a 'record' button being pressed and a snatch of music referred to in the epilogue. In a sense, this makes listening to the audiobook a more authentic experience than reading it.... While the Hulu show has its points, what it lacks is the sheer poetry of Atwood's writing, which is profoundly and gorgeously highlighted by the experience of listening to the novel. Absolutely recommended." (Locus magazine)

"The actor Claire Danes voices the narrator, Offred (the book’s second section, given over to the perspectives of other handmaids, is read by a full cast), with an appropriately theatrical gravitas, her voice so dramatic at points that it trembles. She has called the book 'so poetic I think the words are really served by being spoken out loud.'” (The New York Times Book Review)

Wait! It Mightn't Be What You Think--

I already have the original version of "The Handmaid's Tale" narrated by Claire Danes, and it's fabulous. But when I saw this Special Edition with the "full cast" tag, I thought it was going to be done by Danes as the Handmaid, and a full cast for everyone else.
Uh--no...
It's the exact same thing, so if you've already used a credit, you might want to think about whether to purchase this or not. It does, after all have the full cast for the Symposium, and the bit with Margaret Atwood, and a brief essay which don't take up too much time exactly.
IF, however, you've never listened to this--PLEASE DO!
I think it's Atwood's finest, filled with rich prose, unbeatable language, and Danes is a great narrator.
It is indeed important for our times as all that happens in the book is based on The President's Day Massacre--therefore, we give up rights we hold dear all in the name of fear, security. In this time when women's health is taking a beating, it's wonderful speculative fiction.
It's simply the day-to-day, night-to-night, existence of one woman trapped in a new society, forced to give up, to only remember with utter agony, the life and loved ones she was torn away from. It's what she has to do to survive, where Scrabble is kinky and ungodly.
Though I was disappointed that there wasn't a full cast for the book, it was really, really great to listen to this again.
You wind up wishing for so much for this Handmaid, least of all: that one day she can again be important enough to at least own her own name...
For more reviews, of all genres, check out AudiobookAccomplice

Excellent

Excellent story. Very well done. I encourage you to listen to the author at the end. She answers several questions. It says "full cast", and there is one, but it is at the very end. Offred is verbally telling her story to the reader/listener and therefore no one else plays the parts of the other characters.

Real world consequences

Listening to this book in 2024 modern day America, it worried me. As the current political climate on women’s bodily autonomy makes me fear that things like this could actually happen. It stands as a reminder that we must always fight for what is right and true. We must always stand together, man and woman, and pursue the liberty our forefathers sought after. And that includes making your own choices when it comes to lifestyle or our own bodies.

Hauntingly good

Great story and a good listen. I would recommend to those interested in watching the series.

Amazing and incaptivating book.

I just started watching the Hulu tv show based on this book and thought it would be interesting to hear more about the theme of the show. The are similarities but enough difference so not to spoil the tv ahow.

Excellent!

This was truly an immersive experience and a spectacular way to be guided through a novel so dearly needed for these chaotic times.

Fantastic listen

I first read the Handmaids Tale soon after it came out, when I was in my 20s, and remembered the basic outline of the story. Listening to it some 30 years later was a real treat.

The story was much better. more subtle and compelling, than I remember. Far from being a polemic or strident, it was an introspective piece on the journey of a woman's experience in the transitional years between a free society and a fascistic state. Margaret Atwood's vision has been much talked about, but what I really enjoyed was the inner experience of the first person narrator.

The performance by Clare Danes was excellent. I felt like it took her a few chapters to really hit her stride as a narrator, and there were times I felt I was getting too much of her and too little of the book, but that all smoothed out by the middle and she was excellent. Though it is a "full cast" I think she reads maybe 90% of it, so the other readers are less important.

So fascinating

I have never read the Handmaids Tale before, nor have I seen any version of it. I found this story to be horrifying because I could see it happening, although not likely in my life time. It made me think in a way other books had not. It was the topic of wonderful discussions with my sister who also listened to the book.

Clair Danes did a wonderful job as the narrator and I really appreciated the authors comments and the essay at the end.

I highly recommend this book and this version in particular.

Chilling tale, masterful performance

This book was written over 30 years ago, and yet it portrays a totally plausible world of the immediate future, given recent American politics. The world of Gilead is what one imagines to be Mike Pence's idea of a perfect society, one that he may well be working towards. Claire Danes does a beautiful job -- the audio version of Elizabeth Moss' magnificent video portrayal (I listened to the book before I watched the Hulu series). It's long, but not a word is wasted, and you will be riveted (unless you are offended by an unsympathetic portrayal of a brutal, corrupt theocracy, in which case, oh well!).

great performance for a fantastic book

Claire Daines did a fantastic job bringing the characters to life in this incredible story. This is a must have if you enjoy this style of books.