On Tuesday April 9th at 2:30 pm the Book Club will be discussing the book “The Handmaid’s Tale” by Margaret Atwood at Juncal 1616 4th floor (at Marta Donadeu’s). To make a reservation call Pamela Ferguson or write to uwcstudygroups@gmail.com.
Book Club Meeting Notes
The UWC Book Club met at 2:30 on Tuesday April 9 last at the beautiful home of Marta Donadeo. Present were the host, Maria Ines Alvarez, Kathy Hall and Pamela Ferguson. The book selected for the April meeting was “The Handmaid ́s Tale” by Margaret Atwood.
The book was discussed at length and the following are some of the ideas expressed : this is a brilliant novel, extraordinary in imagination and in the breadth of the situation described: a new era, a new country, and a novel organization of government.
The story is located in a Republic called Gilead and is situated in a future time. However, the main character remembers events that occurred in her past life only 10 or 15 years before, during which time she lived with her husband Luke and a five- year-old daughter. She was snatched from them at the start of this new Republic. There are public hangings called Salvagings for the men and cruel beatings to death for the women called Particicution to ensure obedience to this new social organiza- tion
The Republic of Gilead is a police state governed by Commanders, with armed Guardians who control all the citizens with spies everywhere called Eyes. Women play no part in this new society and are attired in long dresses of varying colors depend- ing on the role they have been assigned. The role of the Handmaids is to give birth to babies. If they are successful they are relieved of their duties and live a protected life. If they commit a misdemeanor they are sent to the Colonies, places where the inhabitants clean up radioactive fall-out and other noxious substances until their death.
The protagonist of this tale is Offred, who is assigned to a Commander. She lives confined to her bedroom, which is small and can only leave it to do shopping accompanied by another Handmaid with whom she is not allowed to converse except in coined and approved phrases “Blessed be the fruit.” “May the Lord open” etc.
There are no books and reading is forbidden, as is any contact outside her bedroom. She is forced to have sex with the Com- mander, fully clothed, lying on top of the body of the Commander ́s wife who is also fully clothed.
The novel ends with a pseudo International Conference during which the origin of the story is ascribed to the finding of 33 tapes, and in which the fate of Offred is suggested. The origin of the Republic of Gilead is also described.
This novel is written in a way that is both direct, sparse and devoid of adjectives. It could be compared perhaps to the style of a journalist, because it is stark and almost violent in its delivery. We were unanimous in fully recommending the reading of this book to members of the UW Club.
The next meeting of the Book Club will be held on Tuesday, June 11, at the home of Maria Ines Alvarez. The book to be dis- cussed then will be “The Woman in Cabin 10” by Ruth Ware and is available at Kells Book Store. All UWC members are very welcome to attend. The more the merrier.
Pamela Ferguson Corbett