Dystopian · Literary
The Handmaid's Tale
In a future theocracy where fertile women are assigned to elite households as breeders, one Handmaid recalls her old life while she carries out her role. Small acts of defiance are dangerous.
- First published
- 1985
- Pace
- slow
- Length
- medium
- Format
- Standalone
Read this if you want a chilling, intimate dystopia that feels frighteningly plausible.
Skip this if you want comfort reading, because the book's depiction of control over women's bodies is disturbing and its ending is unresolved.
The feel
Content warnings
Where to get it
| Store | Price | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Borrow free | ||
| Libby / OverDrive | Free with a library card | Borrow free with Libby from Libby / OverDrive |
| Print, new | ||
| Bookshop.org | Check price | Buy new from Bookshop.org |
| Amazon | Check price | Buy new from Amazon |
| Barnes & Noble | Check price | Buy new from Barnes & Noble |
| Print, used | ||
| AbeBooks | Check price | Buy used from AbeBooks |
| ThriftBooks | Check price | Buy used from ThriftBooks |
| Ebook | ||
| Kobo | Check price | Buy ebook from Kobo |
| Google Play Books | Check price | Buy ebook from Google Play Books |
| Audiobook | ||
| Libro.fm | Check price | Buy audiobook from Libro.fm |
| Audible | Check price | Buy audiobook from Audible |
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The older model of the state-run nightmare, focused on language and surveillance.
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Parable of the Sower
Another thoughtful dystopian novel by a woman about survival and belief when society breaks down.
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The Giver
A short, young-adult look at a seemingly calm society with a terrible secret.
Dystopian
