| This is a story about a religious soceity that takes over the sane minded population. I believe it takes place in the immediate future after some sort of war but only by subtle clues. The details of who and why and where are not specified but you get a pretty good idea by reading the book. Anyway, this society slowly takes over and eventually they run everything, even reproduction. Women are given the choice to either be sent to "the Colonies" (a radioactive area where they send all those unwilling to conform), or become a handmaid. Handmaids wear red robes, white blinders, do the shopping and, oh yeah, go through "the Ceremony" once a month (presumably during ovulation because that war I mentioned before seems to have sterilized a great many women, "the ceremony" is how most couples have kids, with the help of a handmaid). In the new soceity, you are not allowed to see your previous kids, family, porn, or the other handmaids. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - depressing/sad FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story Repressive society story Yes Repressive because: Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 0 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 30 % Who's a slave/repressed? - women are slaves Main Character Identity: - Female Profession/status: Age: - 20's-30's Main Adversary Identity: - society Profession/status: How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount How sensitive is this character? Setting Terrain Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment scientific jargon? (SF only) - none/very little science jargon needed Sex in book? Yes What kind of sex: - impregnation/reproduction - society controls main character's sexing - actual description of sex How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog |
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