Where to start withThe Handmaid's Tale
2 versions · originally a book, 1985
Themes: Totalitarianism, Religious Extremism, Gender Inequality, Loss of Freedom, Female Resistance.
Start with The Handmaid's Tale (Margaret Atwood, 2017) — the book. The Handmaid's Tale exists in 2 versions across media, beginning as a book in 1985; each is ranked below by what it does best.
The Handmaid's Tale presents a chilling, visceral exploration of patriarchal control and female bodily autonomy within a crumbling, fundamentalist near-future America.
✦ Most fans start here
The Handmaid's Tale (2017)
The original novel
✦ Start hereThe Handmaid's Tale
Margaret Atwood · Book · 2017
The 2017 edition of The Handmaid's Tale novel offers an intimate, claustrophobic look into Offred’s internal monologue, perfect for readers who prefer deep psychological insight over the visual spectacle of adaptation.
2017 series
The Handmaid's Tale
Bruce Miller · Series · 2017
The 2017 TV series version of The Handmaid's Tale expands the scope of the Republic of Gilead, providing a sprawling, visually arresting depiction of systemic oppression ideal for fans of prestige drama.
Common questions
Is The Handmaid's Tale book from 1985 the same as the 2017 edition?
The 1985 book is the original source material written by Margaret Atwood. The 2017 edition is a re-release of the same novel, often published to coincide with the television adaptation. Both versions contain the same narrative and text as the original 1985 publication.
Should I read the book before watching The Handmaid's Tale TV series?
You can watch The Handmaid's Tale television series without reading the book first. The series is based on the 1985 novel but expands significantly beyond the source material. Reading the book provides the original context for the story, while the show offers a broader look at the world.
Is The Handmaid's Tale TV series a direct adaptation of the 1985 book?
The Handmaid's Tale television series is adapted from the 1985 book. While the first season covers the events described in the novel, the subsequent seasons of the television show expand the narrative further than the original source material, exploring the world of Gilead beyond the scope of the book.
How long is the original The Handmaid's Tale book?
The Handmaid's Tale book, first published in 1985, is a single novel. It is a standalone work that tells the complete story of Offred. While the 2017 television adaptation continues the story over multiple seasons, the book itself remains a singular, self-contained narrative.