The Testaments - Margaret Atwood

A little underwhelming, but enjoyable nonetheless - perhaps a sequel to such a beloved novel could never live up to the hype?

Atwood's involvement in the production of Hulu's adaptation of The Handmaids Tale no-doubt shaped the narrative form of this novel. Contrasting the singular voice of Offred, Atwood chooses to offer readers three viewpoints with which reexplore the totalitarian regime of Gilead. The first being an outsider brought in for conversion; the second born within and loyal to her home; the third a renegade acting to destroy Gilead from within.

At just over 400 pages, there’s a lot of ground to cover in a short space of time, and only one of the narratives shines; that of Aunt Lydia. It was inevitable that Aunt Lydia would play a part in any further Gileadean story-telling. Not only was she one of the more compelling characters in the novel, but Ann Dowd's portrayal in the Hulu series was undoubtedly the star turn of the adaptation.

I won't say much of plot, but it is both predictable and straightforward, if not a little pandering to its audience. Atwood has written the story her readers want to read. Sadly, the plot lacks depth and skims over what could have been a dramatic and intensely emotional novel. Don't let my thoughts discourage you from reading. The Testaments is still an enjoyable page-turner, but unfortunately, one that rings a little hollow.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

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