The Handmaid's Tale

<p><b>** THE <i>SUNDAY TIMES</i> NO. 1 BESTSELLER **</b><br><br><b>Discover the dystopian novel that started a phenomenon before you read the Booker Prize-winning sequel The Testaments</b><br><br><b>NOW AN AWARD-WINNING TV SERIES STARRING ELISABETH MOSS</b><br><br>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 &#150; her assigned name Offred means &#145;of Fred&#146;. 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.<br><br>Masterfully conceived and executed this haunting vision of the future places Margaret Atwood at the forefront of dystopian fiction.<br><br><b>&#145;A fantastic chilling story. And so powerfully feminist&#146; Bernadine Evaristo author of GIRL WOMAN OTHER</b><br><br><b>&#145;This novel seems ever more vital in the present day&#146;<i> Observer</i></b><br><br><b>Includes exclusive content: In The 'Backstory' you can read Margaret Atwood's account of how she came to write this landmark dystopian novel.</b></p>