The Testaments

A Novel

By: Margaret Atwood

Narrated by: Ann Dowd, Bryce Dallas Howard, Mae Whitman, Derek Jacobi, Tantoo Cardinal, Margaret Atwood

Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE
LONGLISTED FOR THE SCOTIABANK GILLER PRIZE
INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER

Margaret Atwood's dystopian masterpiece, The Handmaid's Tale, has become a modern classic—and now she brings the iconic story to a dramatic conclusion in this riveting sequel.

More than fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale, the theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead maintains its grip on power, but there are signs it is beginning to rot from within. At this crucial moment, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results.

Two have grown up as part of the first generation to come of age in the new order. The testimonies of these two young women are joined by a third voice: a woman who wields power through the ruthless accumulation and deployment of secrets.

As Atwood unfolds The Testaments, she opens up the innermost workings of Gilead as each woman is forced to come to terms with who she is, and how far she will go for what she believes.

"The literary event of the year." —The Guardian

"The international literary event of the season." —Globe and Mail

"It's terrifying and exhilarating." —Judges of the Booker Prize 2019

©2019 Margaret Atwood (P)2019 Penguin Random House Canada

Critic reviews

2019, Booker Prize, Winner

2019, Scotiabank Giller Prize, Long-listed

“A fast, immersive narrative that’s as propulsive as it is melodramatic.” (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times)

"A chilling invitation no Atwood fan can resist...The Testaments reminds us of the power of truth in the face of evil.” (People)

"There may be no novelist better suited to tapping the current era’s anxieties than Margaret Atwood.” (Entertainment Weekly)

I am sorry it’s Finished

I did not buy or read The Handmaid’s Tale until the “hype” about The Testaments became public, so I listened to them back to back. The stories are spectacular, each in their own right, and The Testaments is a “tour de force” in my view. (SPOILER ALERT) I especially miss listening to Aunt Lydia as she plots to bring down the regime that stole her successful life. I was literally on edge the whole time that the escape of Nicole and her sister continued after leaving the Nellie J. Banks. There is a third novel out there Ms. Atwood, if you have the energy.

Great Part 2 story of the Handmaid's Tale.

I was waiting for the Margaret's version of the Handmaid's Tale continuation and she did not disappointed. Well written story of Gilliad resistance and "baby Nicole". Thank you, Margaret.

Currently

This book, the sequel put it all together quite beautiful. Characters situations and chain of events kept me dedicated to the story. Looking for every opportunity to keep listening. Well done.

Excellent

Everything I hoped it would be. This book gives closure to a story that deeply disturbed me. The recent American events march along to the steady drumbeat paralleling this dystopian future. I can hear the heavy steps of the zealots and extremists lining up to make this book a reality.

Enjoyed this follow-up to Handmaid’s Tale

Having listened to The Handmaid’s Tale first, I enjoyed filling in some of the mysterious gaps with this tale. A couple of surprise twists!

A fitting sequel

Picking up the story with three key narrators, the tale keeps the reader in suspense about how events may unfold with a few clever twists

A Great Sequel

So hard to read a sequel, especially after so many years and so many screen adaptations. I just LOVED the story. I feel that M. A. did just the right amount of alluding to present times. As well, I am very thankful and appreciative of the ending.

It is not easy to re-engage with characters and fictional worlds after so much water under the bridge but I loved the alternate angles we are able to see some characters from as well as more backstory to make things both more clear and more murky.

A great sequel

It is difficult to keep a book to the same high standard as its predecessor but Margaret Atwood has done it! I could not put it down.

Everything I ever wanted and more!

When I first heard there was going to be a sequel to "The Handmaid's Tale" I was dangerously excited and pre-ordered immediately. When it came time to actually start this book I hesitated for a few days. I had such sky high expectations that I was concerned "The Testaments" couldn't possibly meet them. Having just finished I can attest that this book fulfilled all my wishes and dreams. There were parts that made me mad as hell, some that brought tears to my eyes, and some that completely surprised me. I never would have imagined the identity of the hero who precipitated the fall of Gilead and it has changed everything I thought I knew from "The Handmaid's Tale." This story was everything I wanted and I am completely satisfied by this addition to the story.

I cannot recommend the audiobook enough. All of the narrators were perfect for their characters, especially Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia. Dowd plays Aunt Lydia so incredibly on the TV show and it was a true joy to hear her voicing the same character in this book.

Its about time

I read the Handmaids tale years ago and it was a great read bit so many loose ends this book tied everything up nicely it was very satisfying