It has been 35 years since The Handmaid’s Tale was published, and fans have been waiting that long to know what happened to Gilead. In 2019, Margaret Atwood published The Testaments as a follow up to The Handmaid’s Tale. Much to the demands of the readers, The Testaments does offer closure of sorts, even if it is wrapped in Atwood’s quintessential style with a climax that is nail-biting, yet somehow leaving you asking for more.
Setting
The Testaments is set 15 years after the events of the original book and this time around, the story is told from the point of view of three main protagonists instead of just one. We get to see the world from the point of view of Daisy, Agnes, and Lydia. The narrative style is similar to the first book with each character narrating their story in a journal or a confessional format.
This is not a Handmaid’s Tale, and hence, none of the main characters is a Handmaid. Instead, we get to know the life of Aunts, and Daughters, before and during the totalitarian regime. It is a fantastic read because each of the characters has their own battles, within and outside. What I found when I read it was the sudden awareness of struggles, challenges, fears, and apprehensions of so many women in Gilead. Yes, the Handmaids had it tough, it was horrible, but it does not mean it was easy for the rest. This comes out really well in The Testaments.
Pace & Characters
The Testaments is different from its predecessor in many ways as I highlighted, but the biggest difference would be the feel and the pace of the book. The Handmaid’s Tale had a very relaxed pace and it would suck you into the depths of its world. As it did so, you actually started feeling uneasy, as if you were in the deep end of the ocean, flapping your hands and legs, trying to stay afloat. And the feeling that lingered long after, can be best described as that of sucking in as much air as possible before you get hit by another wave, knowing full well, that you may not be able to pop your head out of the water ever again. The Testaments is a lot more mainstream in comparison and not claustrophobic. The pace is quicker and it almost reads like a thriller after the first few chapters are out of the way. Hence, it may appeal to a much larger set of readers.
The character development is both a highlight and a letdown. Agnes and Lydia have excellent character arcs, especially Lydia. The anchors, the triggers and pitfalls are clearly laid out enabling the reader to establish a close relationship with them and feel invested in their story. In contrast, Daisy’s character seems to lack the depth that makes the other two great. She wavers and wanders and goes where the wind takes her. Her drive is not clear and hence, her actions do not seem convincing. In fact, the supporting character of Becka has a much more sharply defined character than that of Daisy.
Final Thoughts
This book is a hallmark for feminism as well as a poster child for the Bechdel test. There are countless instances where it would pass the test with flying colours. The Testaments is also a commentary on the socio-political ideologies of today. I can easily imagine misogynist leaders the likes of Donald Trump fitting into the role of Commander Judd to perfection. Other facets include the corruption and hypocrisy seeping deep into the roots of society (just like ours). Add to this, the closed information loop and ill-informed population (visible in China).
With so many obvious and subtle things fitting into a single narrative, The Testaments is truly a modern masterpiece that sits perfectly with the genius of Margaret Atwood. There is nothing she can't do, with a pedigree comprising of more than 50 books across novels, short stories, poetry, children's books, graphic novels, non-fiction, and a lot more. There have been rumours about how The Testaments maybe her last book and if that is true, I am just glad there is so much of Atwood out there to cherish. But to be honest, more Atwood would never hurt anyone who loves to read. So like millions of others around the world, I hope she continues to dazzle and mesmerise us with her words.
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