The Testaments

The Sequel to The Handmaid's Tale

By: Margaret Atwood

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

Length: 13 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Number one New York Times best seller

Winner of the Booker Prize

The Testaments is a modern masterpiece, a powerful novel that can be enjoyed on its own or as a companion to Margaret Atwood’s classic, The Handmaid’s Tale.

More than 15 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: Aunt Lydia. Her complex past and uncertain future unfold in surprising and pivotal ways.

With The Testaments, Margaret Atwood 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.

©2019 Margaret Atwood (P)2019 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Narrator Ann Dowd, known for her role on the television adaptation, is formidable as Aunt Lydia. Hearing her resonant narration of diary entries allows listeners to feel the horror of early Gilead, be disturbed by the aunt's complicity, and discover her secrets. Bryce Dallas Howard's sweet narration of the Transcript of Witness Testimony 369A provides a window onto the extreme restrictions of girlhood in Gilead. Mae Whitman's snarky rendition of Witness 369B's testimony reflects a privileged youth in Canada, where she unwittingly triggers dramatic changes. Listening adds an entirely new dimension to a riveting tale. Atwood narrates section headings and her note, and Tantoo Cardinal and Derek Jacobi nail the scholarly conclusion." (AudioFile Magazine)

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

“Margaret Atwood’s powers are on full display.... Everyone should read The Testaments.” (Los Angeles Times)

I read The Handmaid's Tale in Hardback when it...

...was first published. At the time, as a sci fi fan, I thought of it as interesting and original science fiction--both for the content and the writing itself. And I loved it. I listened to it again a couple of years ago when it was free with Prime. Don't know that I loved it like the first time I read it, but it held up so I was so excited to learn there would be a sequel 35 years later!

If you're looking for something that "feels" like THT, you won't find it here, but that was ok with me. And even though I wanted Offred's story and instead got 3 unexpected POVs, that was ok too. I loved Aunt Lydia's portion and was frankly glad to not have to visit that level of brutality (or of the TV series, of which I've seen the first season) and instead get the machinations of her mind and years of plotting to bring down Gilead. Loved her voice--so droll.

As for the other two female characters--the one who grows up in Canada and the one who grows up in Gilead--they weren't as interesting to me, though I think Agnes' story (and her friendship with Becca) was the more interesting of the two.

As for literary "merit." which THT has no shortage of, this is not "literary." "Who cares?" I say to those who complain that it's not literary enough. I'm not sure this would stand alone and not leave readers confused, but if you've read THT and aren't a literary snob, this will definitely scratch the sequel itch and hold your attention.

Wonderful!!!

This was amazing. The narrators are perfectly cast (Ann Dowd!!!) and the story was filled with so many of the things I’ve always wanted to know about how Gilead started and where the Aunts came from, as well as the seeds of its downfall. Reads so much like a true history. Thank you, Margaret Atwood, for giving us this gift.

Brilliant and Relevant as Ever

One would hope the passing of time would render The Handmaid's Tale less relevant, or at the very least less of a oh-so-important warning. However, as the release of a sequel (together with the HBO series) reveals, it is as contemporary as ever. The possibility of the horrors of Gilead becoming even more real is a threat that hangs over every woman's head, whether we are aware of it or not. Margaret Atwood manages to expose this terrible truth while conceding us hope that we may overcome such horrible possibilities, should they come to fruition. Beautifully written, terrifyingly close to home and to today's reality, both it's predecessor and The Testaments are a must read for anyone interested in the politics of female reproductive rights, and any other human rights. Thanks Margaret!

Hopeful

The book was very well written, narrators were very interesting and kept me engaged in the story. Highly recommend the book.

Gripping

Margaret Atwood's imagination and grasp of present reality, and future possibilities are amazing. I always love her inciteful word creations. The readers who present this story on audio add such depth to the pictures in a listener's mind. All are excellent. My paper copy will join Sinclair Lewis' "It Can't Happen Here" and Roth's "The Plot Against America".

Extremely Satisfying

Knowing what happens past the Handmaid's Tale book and show was extremely satisfying. I couldn't stop listening. My only issue was the timeline presented in the book.

Spectacular sequel

I liked this book. It was a bit predictable. I loved Aunt Lydia narration. Nice job Margaret Atwood.

What an amazing end to the Handmaid's Tale!

I loved this book! What an amazing ending to The Handmaid's Tale! I highly recommend it!

Fantastic

This is a fantastic sequel and should be the last season of “The Handmaid’s Tale” tv series. I absolutely love the way Margaret Atwood answered the question, “What happened after?”. Beautifully written and performed by excellent narrators.

Great Sequel

I loved the story and the performances. I was a bit nervous to read this because I didn’t want it to ruin my love of both the first book-and the Hulu series. But it was a treat. Highly recommended.