The Testaments by Margaret Atwood

As the highly anticipated sequel to the Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood does it again with a brilliant story of Gilead years after Offred’s story in the Testament. I enjoyed this book much better than the original, as we are in several strong female character’s shoes, instead of only from the Handmaid's angle, which honestly is sad, and that is about it. How Aunt Lydia became the leader of the female world in Gilead is very moving, as she cleverly dons on a mask and partners with the Eye and comes up with the idea of Pearl Girls in Canada to let baby Nicole cross the border not only once, but twice. As a lawyer in her previous life, she writes to the audience although it is forbidden and hides it at the Ardua Hall library, ironically the safest and dangerous place at the same time.

Baby Nicole’s emotional rollercoaster from finding out that she is the baby in the posters, to self-defence training and going undercover in Gilead is very enjoyable. We see how the outside world sees Gilead and is taught about it in the education system and the protests that happen in Canada against the totalitarian society. The best plot twist of finding her half-sister was also a great part of the book, and the friendship development of the three girls are very moving and heart-wrenching.

Politics between leading figures in Gilead, within the Aunts’ Hall and between borders are some of the best parts, as everyone is trying to navigate and use the system to their advantage. Atwood wraps up everyone’s motives and lets the reader know if they have been successful or not.

The Testaments gives us a stark warning about not only female oppression like the original but also gives us insight into what happens to all members of society if we fall down the wrong path. Its relevance nowadays could not have been timed better, as the feminist movement is about gender equality, about meritocracy and reward skill, not based on sex, religion, race, or ethnicity.

Cheers,

Kelly