One Sentence Summary
The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a dark dystopian novel about three stories of resistance and resilience in a rigidly patriarchal and brutal totalitarian society.
Book genre
The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a Dark Dystopian novel.
Main topic of the book
The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is a story of resistance and resilience against a patriarchal and brutal totalitarian society.
Key ideas
- Patriarchy: The oppression of women in a male-dominated society is the central theme of the novel.
- Women’s Rights: The novel explores the struggle of women to gain control over their lives and reclaim their autonomy.
- Totalitarianism: The novel explores the dangers of oppressive, tyrannical regimes.
- Resistance: The novel illustrates the power of collective resistance in the face of tyranny.
Main parts of the book and a short summary
The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is divided into three parts.
- Part One: Set fifteen years after the events of The Handmaid’s Tale, The Testaments follows three female narrators from the Republic of Gilead—Aunt Lydia, the commander’s wife, and a young woman living in Canada—in a web of lies and betrayals. Aunt Lydia is the closest confidant to ruling leaders, but she hides a secret. Commander’s Wife must remain faithful to the regime or face certain death, but she is deeply dissatisfied with his rigid religious laws. The young woman living in Canada is an orphan, whose mother escaped Gilead only to die in childbirth. The young woman serves as a beacon of hope, restoring faith in the idea that change is possible.
- Part Two: We follow the characters as they struggle against social injustice, break deceptive promises and fight for justice and freedom. Aunt Lydia finds her own redemption in her fight for freedom from Gilead. The Commander’s Wife works to provide a safe refuge for those escaping Gilead. The young woman in Canada discovers the truth about her mother, and begins her own dangerous mission to liberate Gilead.
- Part Three: In the thrilling conclusion of The Testaments, the three female narrators must join forces to overthrow the oppressive regime of Gilead. Despite the violence and fear, the women remain defiant and courageous, inspiring hope in the face of tyranny. In the face of overwhelming obstacles, their courage and commitment to justice carry them through to victory.
Key takeaways
- The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood highlights the resilience and power of collective resistance in a patriarchal and oppressive society.
- It is a story of courage and solidarity, in which three female narrators fight against social injustice and a totalitarian regime.
- The novel emphasises the importance of courage and perseverance, even in the face of overwhelming oppression and violence.
- The Testaments is a tale of hope and redemption, illustrating that change is possible even in the most oppressive of societies.
Author’s background and qualifications
Margaret Atwood is a Canadian poet, novelist, literary critic and environmental activist. She is one of the leading authors of speculative fiction and is best known for her novel The Handmaid’s Tale, which was an international bestseller and has since been adapted for television. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Booker Prize, and is widely regarded as one of the most influential authors of the 20th century.
Target audience
The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood is recommended for readers aged 16 and up. It is aimed at readers who enjoy dark dystopian novels, feminist literature, and speculative fiction.
Publisher and first publication date
The Testaments: The Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood was published by Penguin Random House on 10th September 2019.