The Handmaid's Tale

Offred is a Handmaid in The Republic of Gilead, a religious totalitarian state in what was formerly known as the United States. She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford - her assigned name, Offred, means "of Fred". She has only one function: to breed. If Offred refuses to enter into sexual servitude to repopulate a devastated world, she will be hanged. Yet even a repressive state cannot eradicate hope and desire. As she recalls her pre-revolution life in flashbacks, Offred must navigate through the terrifying landscape of torture and persecution in the present day, and between two men upon which her future hangs.   Masterfully conceived and executed, this haunting vision of the future places Margaret Atwood at the forefront of dystopian fiction.   A fantastic, chilling story. And so powerfully feminist - Bernadine Evaristo, author of Girl,Woman,Other   This novel seems ever more vital in the present day - Observer   Includes exclusive content: In The 'Backstory' you can read Margaret Atwood's account of how she came to write this landmark dystopian novel.