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The Handmaid's Tale  By  cover art

The Handmaid's Tale

By: Margaret Atwood
Narrated by: Claire Danes
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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.

Explore more titles performed by some of the most celebrated actors in the business in Audible’s Star-Powered Listens collection.
©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)

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The 19th Amendment was ratified in 1920. A little more than 50 years later, in 1973, the US Congress designated August 26th Women’s Equality Day. We proudly honor this year’s Women's Equality Day with 19 titles by or about amazing, diverse women. This list reflects fierce determination, victories big and bigger, and a lot of heart and soul. From riveting fiction to autobiography in song, there’s a listen that will surely get your vote.

What listeners say about The Handmaid's Tale

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    27,370
  • 4 Stars
    10,192
  • 3 Stars
    4,053
  • 2 Stars
    1,225
  • 1 Stars
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  • 4 Stars
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  • 2 Stars
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Story
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    23,924
  • 4 Stars
    8,909
  • 3 Stars
    3,824
  • 2 Stars
    1,382
  • 1 Stars
    1,110

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Claire Danes rocked, story not so much...

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The end..

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I had to play it back so I could make sure I didn't misunderstand it's meaning.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Our Future?

Listening to The Handmaiden's Tale had a chilling quality to it that in a way was mirroring some aspects of our reality.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Spooky

Quite amusing and a bit sad that human life is so easily transferable for the need of other humans wants. Entertaining the thought of a baby making job that could easily leave a woman without dignity and financial security!!! Quiet cruel to say the least!!!!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

enjoyed

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Claire Danes is a wonderful narrator. Now I look forward to watching the TV show

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

The ending has a nice twist

What did you like best about The Handmaid's Tale? What did you like least?

The ending was unexpected but the story and performance was dull / uninspired.

How would you have changed the story to make it more enjoyable?

Include more of how the world changed and how it changed back.

How could the performance have been better?

The performance was very monotone and boaring.

Do you think The Handmaid's Tale needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No

Any additional comments?

none

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Needs to be listened to

Claire Danes is sublime. I downloaded two books for free with Audibles and was about to give up on the app because the narration was (over-)exaggerated. Claire Danes' narration of The Handmaid's Tale was subtle and compelling with the right level of emotional intent, and convinced me to carry on using Audibles. Her telling of the story almost makes the actual story not matter, it's just interesting to listen to her voice.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Fascinating Dystopia

This listen was almost creepy in how well it still mirrors our society. The path that led to the book's setting can easily be seen, adding to the wonderful tenor of the book. The non-linear revealing of the story kept my interest the whole way, and the epilogue was masterfully done.

The characters are fascinating in their struggles with their setting and interactions with others. The narrator does a marvelous job conveying emotion without being over done.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

loved it

Claire Danes does one of the best jobs telling this story that i have ever heard.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Pertinent to the times we are in!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Handmaid's Tale to be better than the print version?

I have not read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Handmaid's Tale?

The ending where the whole story was explained.

Which scene was your favorite?

Where she told about their escape.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, if I had the time.

Any additional comments?

I love audible books because I can listen while I am doing other things like driving or doing yard work.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing must listen

Claire Danes = excellent narration! The story is fascinating and even though it jumps through time it is not too hard to follow! Definitely enjoyed greatly and highly recommend.

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