My Favorite Books and Series
Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband, Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now.
This book is disturbing is many ways. On one hand it was written to be an attack against conservative Christianity. The author clearly did not read the New Testament where women are made equal with men, and where many of the American ideas allowing women equality are founded. However, if we look at this book with Islamic religion as the feared religion I can share the fear of the author. Women reduced to property of the men and only valued for the fertility of their bodies is not unusual to this rapidly growing religion. I think Atwood was being anti-religious period. She obviously had a problem with religion and she feed her disdain for all religious beliefs into this novel. The novel is difficult. It is hard to read not because the writing is difficult, although an editor would be nice, but because of the unethical treatment of women in this book. It is painful to know that unethical conditions do exist for women around the world and there is little to nothing we can do about it. As I read this novel I thought of those women who live in similar societies and have no one to turn to. They may not be handmaids but they are the property of males in their culture just the same.
Read this book to expose yourself to a classic. Read this book for the ethical awakening, but do not read this book if you are looking for an easy read. This book will tear out your heart and stomp on it. It will leave you with more questions than answers.
I give the Handmaid's Tale 3 out of 5 stars
Follows two fiercely independent young women, centuries apart, who hold the power to save their world...or doom it.
This book was a fun read. The plot and characters were outstanding. The world building was amazing! Two kingdoms, over a thousand year apart, and the story flows seamlessly! I was enthralled with the magical structure and the methods the author used to bind these two women together. As the story unravels, you begin to see how the characters are intertwined and its outstanding. The romance in this book is more of a back story for each of the ladies. However it is within these stories that this novel has its major flaw. The sexual scenes in this novel boarder on pornographic. They are not appropriate for the young adult audience this book is intended for. I felt slightly uncomfortable with the sexual explicitness contained in this book. It was a shame too, because the story line was strong and enthralling. There was no need to add this high level of sexuality into this story. There were also hints of bisexuality and homosexuality within this book. A skilled author and a good story, but these negatives will probably prevent me from continuing the series. I do not like watching porn, I do not want to read in in what is suppose to be Young adult fiction either. I caution any parents or educators, I do not recommended for teens.
A quick note about the audio version of this book. If you decide to listen to this book, the narrator does an excellent job switching between the two story-lines, but because the book does constantly switch between two different women and their lives, you will have to devote more than the usual amount of attention to this audiobook.
I give Furyborn 2.5 out of 5 stars
I give the audio version of this book 4 out of 5 stars
An airborne Boeing 747 is headed to London when, without any warning, passengers mysteriously disappear from their seats. Terror and chaos slowly spread not only through the plane but also worldwide as unusual events continue to unfold. For those who have been left behind, the apocalypse has just begun...
How does it all unravel? What do those left behind believe has happened? What will happen to those remaining and how will the world respond? This series begins an attempt at answering many of these questions in a narrative format. The characters are realistic and vivid. The setting is well developed, and the plot is riveting. Not all of the information is 100% Biblical, in fact this book is listed as science fiction as well as christian fiction, but the authors have created a realistic story-line intended to make the reader ask the questions, Am I ready, and Will I be left behind?
I give 4.5 stars to Left Behind
