11 Banned Books by Women to Read Right Now

The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood. Image via Anchor Books

6.) The Handmaid’s Tale, Margaret Atwood

What it’s about

Offred is a handmaid in Gilead, a patriarchal, fascist government set in the former United States. Thanks to an unspecified war and long term chemical exposure, many of the people in this anti-feminist state are sterile. Handmaids are some of the few fertile women left. As a result, they are shackled to a life of sexual servitude to high-ranking officials, bearing their children as if they were merely farm animals or children themselves. Offred, formerly called Kate, struggles to survive and retain her humanity in this dystopia.

Why it was banned or challenged

Most challenges claim that The Handmaid’s Tale is vulgar and offensive to Christians. The government depicted in the novel is clearly based on patriarchal Christian values; “Gilead” itself is a reference to a biblical location. Furthermore, scenes throughout the novel treat sexual situations (including rape) with frankness. Other scenes depict graphic violence.

Why you should read it

The Handmaid’s Tale hits uncomfortably close to home. Despite our current freedoms, recent history has shown us how easily women might lose even seemingly basic rights.

Margaret Atwood is also a captivating writer. Despite the horrifying nature of The Handmaid’s Tale, it is skillfully written. More likely than not, you will be so captivated by the novel that you’ll finish reading before you know it. That will give you more time to help prevent the events of The Handmaid’s Tale from happening in real life.