Since Atwood is having a (well deserved) moment, I figured a re-reading was in order. Yep, it still holds up. And while Offred's tale resonated deeply for me when I was in college, her voice and observations only deepened for me by the passage of time. Im not sure if I can watch the show since I have so much reverence for this incredible work of art.

We need reminding. #atwoodwisdom

Couldn't. Do. It. 😬

Read this book for all the important reasons; what it reveals about transgender identities, the history of Hungarian Jews during WW2, and for its revelations about the father/daughter relationships. But then, marvel at the smaller lessons, too: how to carefully, respectfully observe a life through the lens of learning and reconnecting. Faludi also shows how to ask just the right questions, and how to be open to the honest answers, too.

The writing is tight and I totally dig the historical situatedness of the text, but I would have liked this book a whole lot better if the story had been told from the girl captive's point of view. Maybe it's just me, but do we really need another white savior story? I wish Jiles had put her research on child captives on the frontier to work on developing Johanna's character further.

Omg you guys. Shirley Jackson is freaking hilarious. Yes, THAT Shirley Jackson, the one who wrote "The Lottery." This is serious greatness. #humor #badasswriting #amazingbook

"But, to speak practically and as a citizen, unlike those who call themselves no-government men, I ask for, not at once no government, but at once a better government. Let every man make known what kind of government would command his respect, and that will be one step toward obtaining it." #wordstoelectawomanby

"The rain fell steadily all night long. The candle died, the fire burned lower in the grate; the room grew dark, then less dark, and still the tumble of water went on, until Frances began to think that she had heard every separate drop of it"(349). Spooooooky. Good thing my watchdog is here.