The Handmaid's Tale

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This look at the near future presents the story of Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, once the United States,... (more)

This look at the near future presents the story of Offred, a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead, once the United States, an oppressive world where women are no longer allowed to read and are valued only as long as they are viable for reproduction. (less)

In this Orwellian dramatization, religion becomes a tool of repression and social control to force women into the roles ... (more)

In this Orwellian dramatization, religion becomes a tool of repression and social control to force women into the roles of stay-at-home wives, domestic staff, prostitutes, or surrogate mothers. They have no rights to their bodies or property and are completely dependent upon men. Those women who have had at least one child find themselves forced into the role of breeding machine, producing children for childless couples. References to 20th-century issues abound, including Agent Orange, abortion, women's rights, and escape attempts to Canada. (less)

"The story is iconic: In the Republic of Gilead, a Handmaid named Offred lives in the home of the Commander, to the purp... (more)

"The story is iconic: In the Republic of Gilead, a Handmaid named Offred lives in the home of the Commander, to the purpose that she become pregnant with his child. Stripped of her most basic freedoms, (work, property, her own name), Offred remembers a different time, not so long ago, when she was valuable for more than her viable ovaries, when she was mother to a daughter she could keep, and when she and her husband lived and loved as equals. Darkly prescient, scathingly sarcastic, and eminently frightening, The Handmaid's Tale has only gained relevance since it was originally published, and remains one of the most powerful, widely read stories of our times."-- (less)

In the not-so-distant future, strong-willed and beautiful Kate possesses a precious commodity that most women have lost ... (more)

In the not-so-distant future, strong-willed and beautiful Kate possesses a precious commodity that most women have lost and most men want to control: fertility. Forced into a brain-washing boot camp that turns fertile women into surrogate mothers for social-elite men and their infertile wives, Kate thinks she's made out well when she's assigned to an eminent party leader. But when she learns that he's sterile, she's faced with an impossible choice: produce him an heir or die. (less)

In the not-so-distant future, strong-willed and beautiful Kate possesses a precious commodity that most women have lost ... (more)

In the not-so-distant future, strong-willed and beautiful Kate possesses a precious commodity that most women have lost and most men want to control: fertility. Forced into a brain-washing boot camp that turns fertile women into surrogate mothers for social-elite men and their infertile wives, Kate thinks she's made out well when she's assigned to an eminent party leader. But when she learns that he's sterile, she's faced with an impossible choice: produce him an heir or die. (less)

A religion-based autocracy has taken over most of the United States, renaming the country Gilead. In this country women ... (more)

A religion-based autocracy has taken over most of the United States, renaming the country Gilead. In this country women are second-class citizens. Anyone trying to escape is punished. One such person is June, who is captured while trying to escape with her husband and child and is sentenced to be a handmaid, bearing children for childless government officials. As a handmaid, June is renamed Offred. This is her story. (less)

The Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama series returns with a second season shaped by Offred's pregnancy and her o... (more)

The Emmy and Golden Globe award-winning drama series returns with a second season shaped by Offred's pregnancy and her ongoing fight to free her future child from the dystopian horrors of Gilead. In season two, Offred and all our characters will fight against or succumb to this dark truth. (less)

Handmaid June finds herself once again in resistance to the dystopian regime of Gilead after opting not to flee to Canad... (more)

Handmaid June finds herself once again in resistance to the dystopian regime of Gilead after opting not to flee to Canada with her baby at the end of the second season. Now, she will struggle to strike back against the regime despite overwhelming odds. This season there are startling reunions, betrayals and a journey to the terrifying heart of Gilead that will force all of the characters to take a stand, guided by one defiant prayer: Blessed be the fight. (less)

In Season Four, June strikes back against Gilead as a fierce rebel leader, but the risks she takes bring dangerous new c... (more)

In Season Four, June strikes back against Gilead as a fierce rebel leader, but the risks she takes bring dangerous new challenges, and her quest for justice and revenge threatens to consume her. (less)

In Season Five of the Handmaid's Tale, June faces consequences for killing Commander Waterford while struggling to redef... (more)

In Season Five of the Handmaid's Tale, June faces consequences for killing Commander Waterford while struggling to redefine her identity and purpose. The widowed Serena attempts to raise her profile in Toronto as Gilead's influence creeps into Canada. Commander Lawrence works with Nick and Aunt Lydia as he tries to reform Gilead and rise to power. June, Lucke, and Moira fight Gilead from a distance as they continue their mission to save and reunite with Hannah. (less)