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The Testaments

WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE 2019
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( 408,640 ratings, 35,808 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Testaments by Margaret Atwood unfolds in the dystopian world of Gilead, described through the perspectives of three distinct women. Set years after the events of its predecessor, the story delves into their intertwined lives as they confront oppressive societal norms and personal dilemmas. The narrative explores themes of resistance, power, and the potential for change under an authoritarian regime.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this gripping sequel if you're fascinated by dystopian tales that unravel the complexities of power and rebellion. Featuring compelling narratives and vivid characters, it delves into the dark yet intriguing world of Gilead, offering both suspense and surprises. If you appreciated the intricate storytelling and social commentary in the earlier book set in this universe, you're likely to find this continuation equally captivating.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In this electrifying sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood answers the question that has tantalised readers for decades: What happened to Offred?

THE NUMBER 1 BESTSELLER AND WINNER OF THE BOOKER PRIZE

In this electrifying sequel to The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood answers the question that has tantalised readers for decades: What happened to Offred?

'The Testaments is Atwood at her best... To read this book is to feel the world turning' — Anne Enright

The Republic of Gilead is beginning to rot from within. At this crucial moment, two girls with radically different experiences of the regime come face to face with the legendary, ruthless Aunt Lydia. But how far will each go for what she believes?

Now with additional material: book club discussion points and an interview with Margaret Atwood about the real-life events that inspired The Testaments and The Handmaid's Tale.


PRAISE FOR THE TESTAMENTS

'Everything The Handmaid's Tale fans wanted and more. Prepare to hold your breath throughout, and to cry real tears at the end' — Stylist

'Atwood challenges us constantly and poses the question that lies like a pearl inside the shell of this frighteningly readable novel, "Before you sit in judgement, how would you behave in Gilead?"' — Sunday Telegraph

'She manages to write about the darkest and most terrifying parts of human psychology in a way that is still deeply funny and full of dark strange hope' — Naomi Alderman, author of The Power

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Margaret Atwood's The Testaments has been widely praised for its thrilling and gripping narrative, often described as beautifully written and incredibly paced. Reviewers emphasize its blend of action, hope, and humour, noting how it expands on the world of The Handmaid’s Tale while also standing strong on its own. The novel is seen as a timely call to action, offering a compelling mix of darkness and resistance, often lauded as a significant literary achievement.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781784708214

Publisher: Vintage Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 September 2020

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Vintage

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 33.0mm

Width: 127.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 384g

Pages: 448

About the Author

Margaret Atwood is the author of more than fifty books of fiction, poetry and critical essays. Her novels include Cat's Eye, The Robber Bride, Alias Grace, The Blind Assassin and the MaddAddam trilogy. Her 1985 classic, The Handmaid's Tale, was followed in 2019 by a sequel, The Testaments, which was a global number one bestseller and shared the Booker Prize. In 2020 she published Dearly, her first collection of poetry for a decade; in 2022 Burning Questions, a selection of essays, was a Sunday Times bestseller; and in 2023, Old Babes in the Wood, a volume of short stories, was a number one Sunday Times bestseller. Atwood is a member of the Order of the Companions of Honour, and has won numerous awards including the Arthur C. Clarke Award for Imagination in Service to Society, the Franz Kafka Prize, the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade, the PEN USA Lifetime Achievement Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. She has also worked as a cartoonist, illustrator, librettist, playwright and puppeteer. She lives in Toronto, Canada.

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