The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood was a hangover from last year's challenge in that it was a winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2019. It is set some 15 years after The Handmaid's Tale and features narratives from three characters - Agnes, who has grown up as the daughter of a Commander in Gilead; Jade who has grown up in Canada, and Aunt Lydia - a woman responsible for the training and placement of Handmaids in Gilead. We hear about their backgrounds and how the religious totalitarian state of Gilead has impacted on their lives. Most interesting to me was the Aunt Lydia thread, where we find out about how her life changed when she was trapped inside Gilead at the time of its formation, where she had to adapt to survive, and how she continually evolved to the extent where she now is plotting the downfall of the regime. OfFred, the protagonist of the first book is referenced, although we don't know exactly where she is, but her actions from 15 years ago are now having consequences for the characters in this book. I don't really want to say too much more about the plot as it will give away too much to anyone who might wish to read this book for themselves. What I will say is that the skill of the author is evident in bringing these disparate characters together and, that despite their vast differences, the fact that they can and do work towards a common cause is rendered believable. Even though the character of Jade was jarring at times - she is a rebellious teenager with a bit of a mouth on her, so that's no great surprise - you cannot help but root for her. Not always an easy read due to the disturbing treatment of women in particular (well, it is Gilead!), this is still a very welcome sequel and I was left a little bereft when I finished it!
My STAR rating: FIVE.
Length: 448 print pages.
Price I paid: free, borrowed as an audio book from the library.
Formats available: print; unabridged audio download; ebook.
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