The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition (Unabridged) The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition (Unabridged)

The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition (Unabridged‪)‬

    • 4.2 • 138 Ratings
    • $25.99

    • $25.99

Publisher Description

"Are there any questions?" The final line in Margaret Atwood's modern classic, The Handmaid's Tale, has teased and perplexed fans since the book's original release more than 30 years ago. Now, in this Audible Original production, listeners get some of the answers they've waited so long to hear.

Featuring an all-new interview with Professor Piexoto, written by Atwood and performed by a full cast, The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition is a must-listen for both fans and newcomers alike. Emmy Award winner Claire Danes (Homeland, Temple Grandin) gives a stirring performance of this classic in speculative fiction, where the message (and the warning) is now more timely than ever. In addition to rich sound design that honors the audio origins of Atwood's classic, the special edition also includes a brand-new afterword from the author and an essay written by author Valerie Martin (Mary Reilly, Property).

After a violent coup in the United States overthrows the Constitution and ushers in a new government regime, the Republic of Gilead imposes subservient roles on all women. Offred, now a Handmaid tasked with the singular role of procreation in the childless household of the enigmatic Commander and his bitter wife, can remember a time when she lived with her husband and daughter and had a job, before she lost everything, even her own name. Despite the danger, Offred learns to navigate the intimate secrets of those who control her every move, risking her life for mere glimpses of her former freedom, and records her story for future listeners.

Whether you're a fan of the original novel or someone who has recently discovered it, The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition will shock, impress, and satisfy all those who listen.

The Handmaid's Tale: Special Edition features performances by Claire Danes, Margaret Atwood, Emily Bauer, Allyson Johnson, Gabra Zackman, Suzanne Toren, Tim Gerard Reynolds, Jennifer Van Dyck, Ray Porter, Emily Cox, Lauren Fortgang, Dan Reiss, Prentice Onayemi, Therese Plummer, and Mark Boyett.

GENRE
Fiction
NARRATOR
Claire Danes, Margaret Atwood, full cast
LANGUAGE
EN
English
LENGTH
12:11
hr min
RELEASED
2017
April 4
PUBLISHER
Audible Studios
PRESENTED BY
Audible.com
SIZE
702.5
MB

Customer Reviews

AudioBookReviewer.com ,

disturbingly and coldly realistic

This modern classic needs little introduction. For those who have not read it: it is about a dystopian future where a neo-religious group has overthrown the American government and rearranged society into a anti-technological and rigidly male dominated theocracy. Fertility has dropped to dangerous lows and drastic measures are instituted to increase the population. Handmaids are young fertile women who are slaves to their wealthy masters. Their only purpose is to get pregnant. If they don’t (even if the man is infertile), they are shipped off to “the colonies,” to clean up nuclear waste sites where life is hard and brief.

Many have described it as a feminist book, and there is a lot of male bashing, but men should not be put off by this. It is a thoughtful book that both men and women can relate to. There is deep realism in the dark future Atwood describes. There are no strange technologies or tech that cannot actually exist. It is a thoughtful look at human nature, political and cultural extremes that could, if taken to their extreme, happen. The characters are flawed, often cowardly, sometimes brave, but always human. The claustrophobic feeling of being trapped in a totalitarian world where a wrong look could mean death is too frighteningly real. Human nature at its worst.

The story is performed by Claire Danes who is nothing short of brilliant. If you have read the book (as this reviewer has), you will get even more out of it by listening to this amazing performance. Ms. Danes gives the listener a feeling of something very personal, like you are listening to a confession you wouldn’t dare interrupt. Excellent.

The Handmaid’s Tale is disturbingly and coldly realistic. You may not like what you hear, like you are listening to someone describing your deepest character flaws, but listen you must. Like all great books, it is philosophy wrapped in a story. Highly recommended for the story, and doubly so for the audio presentation.

Audiobook was provided for review by the publisher.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog

[If this review helped, please press YES. Thanks!]

lemondrop876 ,

Bad Download

After purchasing it download.
I attempted it again only Part 2 appeared
I have requested a refund

Team_Y ,

Unsure if I received the whole book

The first and second track repeat, as the third track. Is there a third Thackston that I am missing. Would like a new download or a refund. Do not buy.

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