The Testaments: A Novel (The Handmaid's Tale)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE A modern masterpiece that "reminds us of the power of truth in the face of evil” (People)—and can be read on its own or as a sequel to Margaret Atwood’s classic, The Handmaid’s Tale.  

“Atwood’s powers are on full display” (Los Angeles Times) in this deeply compelling Booker Prize-winning novel, now updated with additional content that explores the historical sources, ideas, and material that inspired Atwood. 
 
More than fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid's Tale, the theocratic regime of the Republic of Gilead maintains its grip on power, but there are signs it is beginning to rot from within. At this crucial moment, the lives of three radically different women converge, with potentially explosive results.
 
Two have grown up as part of the first generation to come of age in the new order. The testimonies of these two young women are joined by a third: Aunt Lydia.  Her complex past and uncertain future unfold in surprising and pivotal ways.
 
With The Testaments, Margaret Atwood opens up the innermost workings of Gilead, as each woman is forced to come to terms with who she is, and how far she will go for what she believes.

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448 pages

Average rating: 8.05

238 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

NinjaNeo
Apr 16, 2025
10/10 stars
If "The Handmaid's Tale" seemed "too unrealistic"... this puts so much more into perspective. And is once again so eerily similar to our time. And come on. The battle is with CANADA?!?? Need I say more...
kev26
Feb 06, 2025
8/10 stars
An entertaining page turner but ultimately too pat; I felt that the quality declined as the book raced towards its conclusion.
Anonymous
Feb 05, 2025
8/10 stars
An entertaining page turner but ultimately too pat; I felt that the quality declined as the book raced towards its conclusion.
stackedlibrarian
Dec 11, 2024
8/10 stars
Although I enjoyed diving back into Gilead and seeing its collapse, the ending was too clean and perfect. It’s unrealistic to imagine these two characters finding each other and being the catalysts for the implosion. And the villain who got redemption didn’t deserve it. I’m supposed to believe she was just playing the long game?!?!
CA Judy C
Oct 07, 2024
5/10 stars
Can’t compare to the depth and powerful social predictions of the Handmaids tale. She brushed over so many key questions!

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