Get ready to dive into the captivating world of Margaret Atwood's literary journey, where her iconic work, 'The Handmaid's Tale,' takes on a whole new dimension. But first, let's unravel the story behind the story.
Unveiling Margaret Atwood's Memoir: A Journey Through Time and Imagination
Margaret Atwood, a literary legend, has graced us with her memoir, 'Book of Lives,' a 624-page odyssey through her professional and personal life. From her childhood adventures in Quebec to her partnership with fellow writer Graeme Gibson, and the decision to craft the sequel to 'The Handmaid's Tale,' 'The Testaments,' which earned her the prestigious Booker Prize in 2019, Atwood leaves no stone unturned.
But here's where it gets intriguing: Atwood takes us back to the 1980s Berlin, the birthplace of her dystopian masterpiece. Let's explore the inspiration and impact of 'The Handmaid's Tale.'
The Origins of 'The Handmaid's Tale': A Tale of Political Intrigue
Atwood offers multiple origin stories for her futuristic dystopian, each painting a vivid picture of a patriarchal, totalitarian state in the former US. In one such narrative, she and writer Eve Zaremba contemplated the rising influence of the religious right in US politics, a force that sought to confine women to 'the home.' Removing women's financial independence became a key theme, shaping the fictional world of Gilead where women's rights and autonomy were severely restricted.
Atwood asked herself a thought-provoking question: What form would a totalitarian dictatorship take in the United States? Her answer: A Christian theocracy, with the Bible twisted to suit the regime's aims.
As the 1985 publication loomed, Atwood expressed concerns about being labeled anti-Christian, an evil feminist, or a heretic. She confided in American novelist Valerie Martin, who predicted, 'You're gonna make a lot of money.' And the rest, as they say, is history.
'The Handmaid's Tale' on Screen: A Different Series After Trump's Election
Beyond its literary acclaim, 'The Handmaid's Tale' has captivated audiences through its on-screen adaptation, starring Elisabeth Moss as the iconic June (known as 'Offred' in the book). The series, which ran from 2017 to its final season earlier this year, was created, produced, and executive produced by Bruce Miller, who is now adapting Atwood's sequel, 'The Testaments.'
Atwood herself made a cameo, playing an Aunt who slaps Moss' character. The show was shot in November 2016, just before Donald Trump's election victory. Atwood recalls the moment she learned of Trump's win: 'Everyone had the same thought: we were now shooting a different series. Nothing in the script had changed, but the context had shifted dramatically.'
This context shift made for an emotional series launch, with women in red 'Handmaid's Tale' gowns becoming symbols of protest. Quotes from the book, like the powerful 'Nolite te bastardes carborundorum' ('Don't let the bastards grind you down'), became protest signs, a testament to the story's impact.
Viewers had a similar awakening after the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, eliminating the constitutional right to abortion. 'The Handmaid's Tale' reemerged on USA TODAY's Best-selling Booklist, a stark reminder of the story's relevance.
In an interview with The Guardian, Atwood offered a political insight: 'The States is not a totalitarianism – yet. Though moving towards a concentrated-power structure. If it were a full totalitarianism, we would not be filming 'The Testaments.' We'd be in jail, in exile or dead.'
Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY's Books Reporter, covers the latest releases, chats with authors, and delves into the culture of reading. You can find her on Instagram or subscribe to the weekly Books newsletter to stay updated.
