I read a lot of books. And I usually don't write reviews for them. But I have to for this one. This book has to be the best book I have read all year. It was kind of like a combination between Ayn Rand's
Anthem and
The Giver. Sort of. But not really.
Basically, it is a story of the near-future, when conservative propaganda takes hold and everyone is basically put in their caste. The main character, Offred (she is the concubine/not concubine of a commander named Fred. She is in the "Handmaid" caste, basically the wombs. She must have Fred and his wife, Serena Joy's (kind of a Tammy Faye Baker type), baby within two years or she is declared "unwoman" and basically executed.
Obviously, she wants to get out. She remembers her life before, with her husband, Luke, and their daughter, but she does not know where the two are. Alcohol, cigarettes, lotion, perfume, cosmetics, and the like are strictly forbidden. And her room is searched to make sure she does not have any "black market" contraband.
She eventually sees the Commander outside of the home, although this is illegal. And she becomes close with the commander's chauffeur (although we, the reader, do not know what side he stands for until the very end).
This book was absolutely amazing and I highly recommend it.
