What I'm Reading - The Handmaid's Tale and The Testaments (no spoilers!)

I admit I'm late to The Handmaid's Tale fan club - but not the TV series - the book that that Hulu show is based on!  I'm not completely sure why it took me so long to read The Handmaid's Tale - as an English major and teacher one would think I would have read it in a class.  I do know that once the series came out and everyone was talking about it, I was afraid that reading it would be too depressing and too close to real life.  I'm a big fan of young adult dystopian fiction - where the hero (but usually heroine) wins at the end and everything is great.  So I also thought that it would be like 1984 - where there is no resolution at the end and you end the book feeling hopeless!  

Once The Testaments came out, I decided it was time.  I checked out The Handmaid's Tale to read.  I was immediately hooked and finished it in two days!  The characters were so well-developed, and while there was an opportunity for a sequel (obviously), it had an ending that was somewhat satisfying - not hopeless at least!   

Luckily, my library's copy of The Testaments came in just as I needed it - and without any spoilers, I have to say that it was the perfect sequel - it gave a lot of background on the creation of Gilead - this patriarchal society - and it tied together the loose ends of The Handmaid's Tale perfectly - but without being formulaic.  

Now, I still haven't watched the TV series, and I'm not sure if I will, but for those people who do, I believe that reading The Testaments will give you some insight into where the series is going to go in future episodes.  When I read The Handmaid's Tale, I couldn't figure out how they had pulled three seasons from that book, but I believe that The Testaments will offer plenty to explore for several more seasons if they choose!  

Are you a fan of the series?  Have you read either of the books?  

This post contains Amazon affiliate links.  If you use the link to buy a book,  I may make money, and you will get a great book to read (at no additional cost!)  Everyone wins!