The Testaments - Book Review

The most anticipated read of 2019 and Goodreads Choice 2019 winner, Margaret Atwood’s The Testament picks up the story of The Handmaid’s Tale more than 15 years after Offred stepped into the unknown and left readers with a lots of questions unanswered. Does ‘The Testaments’ answer them all?

The Testaments is narrated from three female narrators:

1.  Aunt Lydia
2.  Daisy - raised outside Gilead
3.  Agnes - born and raised in Gilead

All three narrators describe their experiences in a stark contrasting manner and how Gilead and it’s tyranny affected their lives in the most brutal way possible. For me, The Testaments, not only answered what happened to Offred but also reflected on the story of how Aunts and the Handmaids are brought into Gilead. That was a real eye opener.

The Testaments is yet another feather to Margaret’s cap where she spoke about injustice and standing against the unacceptable. Written 34 years after its predecessor, this book has a touch to the modern #metoo movement where body objectification is strictly damned and women have equal rights to do what they want.

I devoured this book in two sittings and it was simply unputdownable for me. Aunt Lydia’s narration was my absolute favourite. This page-turner contains Margaret Atwood’s brilliant prose besides sharp and witty insights.

Highly recommended for those who love to read dystopia but reading The Handmaid’s Tale prior to this should be preferred.