Journal Entry 1 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Saturday, January 17, 2004

This was a very compelling book though I would have liked a little more of a settled, clear ending. It was quite scary how easy this world came into being - it seemed as if it could be something that could actually happen. I'm glad that I finally took the time to read this classic. And better yet, this is the book I selected to teach my introduction to literature class this semester. I can't wait to see what my students make of it.

From the back cover:
Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. She may leave the home of the Commander and his wife once a day to walk to food markets whose signs are now pictures instead of words because women are no longer allowed to read. She must lie on her back once a month and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant, because in an age of declining births, Offred and the other Handmaids are valued only if their ovaries are viable.

Offred can remember the years before, when she lived and made love with her husband Luke; when she played with and protected her daughter; when she had a job, money of her own, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now...everything has changed. 

Journal Entry 2 by karendawn from Lafayette, Indiana USA on Saturday, January 17, 2004

This book went out on a successful bookray, but it has reached the end of the list, so it will now travel as the last person on the list sees fit.

Participants:
1. junegirl - Wisconsin
2. clawdette - Louisiana
3. Czersk - Minnesota
4. vicki9170 - Florida
5. ms-attitude-ca - Canada
6. MazieNH - New Hampshire
7. Wilmar - The Netherlands
8. PCSAF - Portugal
9. brewster13 - Canada 

Journal Entry 3 by karendawn at on Sunday, January 25, 2004

Release planned for Monday, January 26, 2004 at Mailed to a fellow Bookcrosser in n/a, n/a Controlled Releases.

The book is starting on its journey. 

Journal Entry 4 by junegirl from Elm Grove, Wisconsin USA on Tuesday, February 24, 2004

WARNING: PLOT SPOILER BELOW

This book rocks!! I have immense respect for authors who can create credible dystopias. When the effort strains the book can become silly, but when when all the pieces fit together seamlessly you have a tour de force like this. The subject matter -- sexual politics and the patriarchal state -- was not reduced to a simplistic formula, either; the book was especially compelling for this reason. In the absence of self-determination, what is the difference between actual suicide and embarking on a forbidden liaison with the Commander? Is Offred's affair (if you can call it that) with Nick an act of rebellion or does it suggest that the human spirit will surrender to its basic needs even in the harshest conditions? I had a feeling throughout that the story couldn't end happily. As the culture of Gilead is revealed incrementally through such events as the birth ritual, the salvagings, the trip to Jezebel's, its weight and oppressiveness and its total control of every aspect of female existence becomes nearly unbearable. However, Atwood's surprise conceit of framing the narrative as an archeological reading of culture is very clever and allows for a multiplicity of interpretations. Thank you Margaret, for allowing a possibility other than despair. So much food for thought. Thank you karendawn for sending this bolt from the blue. I can't believe I missed this one along the way -- I'll be thinking about it a lot over the coming months. I'll probably need to amend this journal entry as my thoughts congeal.

In the meantime, it's off to clawdette . . . 

Journal Entry 5 by clawdette from Houma, Louisiana USA on Tuesday, March 02, 2004

recieved this yesterday as part of a bookring, will post when read 

Journal Entry 6 by clawdette from Houma, Louisiana USA on Tuesday, June 22, 2004

very interesting book...released to Czersk yesterday 

Journal Entry 7 by Czersk from Roscoe, Minnesota USA on Wednesday, June 30, 2004

I have always wanted to read this, especially since every where I turn I see copies of it or people making references to it. It is inescapable! I'm really looking forward to this one, and I will read it soon. 

Journal Entry 8 by Czersk from Roscoe, Minnesota USA on Wednesday, July 14, 2004

This book was terrifying, brilliant, and thought-provoking. It is just plain scary to consider the possibilities of a society like Gilead ever being born. In Offred's prayers she said, "You might even provide a Heaven for them. We need You for that. Hell we can make ourselves." They have made a hell, at least I would consider it one. The women are forbidden to READ, for crying out loud. I would have hung myself on the Wall, if I couldn't rest my eyes on some sort of lettering that was decipherable. Offred's name is something that unnerves me, too. At first I just thought it was a weird name, pronounced "off-red". But as I got further into the book, to my disgust and horror, I realized that her name was "Of-fred", showing that she belonged to Fred, the Commander. (head-shaking) Horrible, just horrible. She can't even have her own name, one that defines her individual self, and that she'll keep with her, throughout whatever short and unimaginable life may be ahead of her, for I don't think she lived long after the ending of this book. Yeah, she did make the tapes, but for some reason I just have the feeling that there wasn't a happy ending. She was caught, sent to the Colonies (wherever they may be), or Walled and made an example of. This was an Excellent book. It will be a long time, if ever, before I stop thinking about it. Thanks all involved for giving me a chance to read it. Amazing. I must now go and make everyone I know read it.

Off to vicki9170 in Florida. I think I have her address around here somewhere . . . 

Journal Entry 9 by vicki9170 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Monday, August 09, 2004

received 

Journal Entry 10 by vicki9170 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Friday, September 24, 2004

forwarding this on to the next person in line after me since i ended up somehow with 2 copies?? i have other books from other rings i'm working on reading and and getting out asap.....too many life changes and too many books all at once plus hurricanes etc...however i'm back on track and focused!!

PM'd the next person in line and will be mailing this out monday if i get their addy before then :) 

Journal Entry 11 by vicki9170 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Monday, September 27, 2004

PM'd book-bugger again today for their addy. Hopefully will hear from them by friday, if not should i do a wild release or send back to you Karen? 

Journal Entry 12 by vicki9170 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Friday, October 01, 2004

PM's Ms Attitude, just waiting on her address :) 

Journal Entry 13 by vicki9170 from Saint Petersburg, Florida USA on Friday, October 01, 2004

received Ms Attitude's address, will mail out the book on monday 

Journal Entry 14 by ms-attitude-ca from Burlington, Ontario Canada on Wednesday, November 10, 2004

just received in the mail from vicki9170 

Journal Entry 15 by ms-attitude-ca from Burlington, Ontario Canada on Friday, November 19, 2004

This is a great book.....first Atwood that I've read, won't be the last. I can't even think of living this type of life, belonging to a man, not having my own identity, not being able to do anything. I felt as if Offred was sitting in the room telling me her story after this ordeal (that's what it seemed like). Very compelling and scary if this was to actually be how things are in the future. Am waiting now for MaizieNH's address so I can send this book on 

Journal Entry 16 by ms-attitude-ca from Burlington, Ontario Canada on Thursday, December 09, 2004

put this book in the mail today. on it's way to MaizieNH. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Thank you karendawn for letting me be part of this bookring 

Journal Entry 17 by MazieNH from Hooksett, New Hampshire USA on Friday, December 17, 2004

Received this bookring in the mail today, thank you so much for sharing! I will begin it right away, and journal again whne I've finished it. 

Journal Entry 18 by MazieNH from Hooksett, New Hampshire USA on Monday, December 27, 2004

Finished this book Christmas Eve and will PM the next in line for an address to mail to today.

I enjoyed this book very much. I found the subject matter very interesting, and Atwood did a very impressive job creating an entire alternate universe that rang true throughout the story.

I particularly liked the vagueness the ending contained, so the reader was not stuck with just one outcome or interpretation of events. It certainly is a book designed to provoke further thought or discussion, and I'm glad to have read it.

Will mail it out ASAP once I have the address to send to. Thanks for sharing! 

Journal Entry 19 by MazieNH at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring -- Controlled Releases on Friday, January 07, 2005

Released on Thursday, January 06, 2005 at about 12:00:00 PM BX time (GMT-06:00) Central Time (US & Canada) at Bookring in Bookring, A Bookring Controlled Releases.

RELEASE NOTES:

Mailed to Wilmar in the Netherlands on 1/6/05 - good luck little book! 

Journal Entry 20 by Wilmar from Leiden, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Monday, January 10, 2005

Caught! I found the book in my mailbox just yet (Thaks MazieNH :) ).
I'm really looking forward to this one (My First Atwood!), but for some reason there is a stream of Ring- and RayBooks coming my way the last couple of days.
There are four other books before this one... But I'm quite sure I can mangage to read them all in a reasonable amount of time.

You'll hear from me!



 

Journal Entry 21 by Wilmar from Leiden, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Friday, January 21, 2005

I finsihed the book this morning, and I'm afraid I'm the first in this BookRay order who is not so positive.
Somehow I have the feeling this book is outdated. I think the subject typically fits the 1980's or better the 1970's. (I've studied women- and genderstudies so it's not that I'm naive or stupid concerning women and their rights and roles within society.)

But besides the question 'if this is possibly going to happen or not'. I also didn't really _like_ the book. I wasn't gripping (hope I'm using the right word here), and the person of Offred didn't quite come to live to me. Maybe (but I'm on slippery ground thinking and writing things like this here) this was because Offred does not try to make a difference, although the Mayday-people contact her, and she has the power to do something. But ever since I was a small child I've been thinking what I would do if I ever came to live under a regime like that. (Probably has to do with al the books Dutch children - so me as well - read about World War II)

In stead of a couple of readers before me I do have the feeling that this story had a happy ending. The world's history continued and Gilead does not exist anymore is what I concluded. And a lot of woman did make it to professor by then!

At the moment I'm in France, staying with my father (so de book did a little European de-tour :) ), but I'm going to send it on coming monday, when I'm back in The Netherlands.

karendawn, thank you very much for sharing. ...And I'm currently reading Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, so I'm defenitely giving her a second chance. 

Journal Entry 22 by Wilmar at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases on Monday, January 24, 2005

Released 7 yrs ago (1/24/2005 UTC) at Controlled Release in Controlled Release, --by post or by hand (ie ring, ray, RABCK, trade) -- Controlled Releases

WILD RELEASE NOTES:

RELEASE NOTES:

And off you go to Portugal :) :) :) 

Journal Entry 23 by PCSAF from Gondomar, Porto Portugal on Tuesday, February 08, 2005

It arrived safely :-)) Thanks! 

Journal Entry 24 by PCSAF from Gondomar, Porto Portugal on Saturday, April 09, 2005

Finished it!! It was catching and really interesting reading. I'm glad I joined this bookring.

As emoutraspalavra pass it on, it's on its way to brewster13. Happy reading :-) 

Journal Entry 25 by brewster13 from Calgary, Alberta Canada on Friday, May 06, 2005

Received in the mail. I have a few bookrings and rays in front of this one, so it will be awhile until I get to this one. Hopefully there will be someone interested in reading when I'm done and the ray can continue on...

Brew 

Journal Entry 26 by brewster13 from Calgary, Alberta Canada on Tuesday, November 08, 2005

Well, I made it through a string of bookrings, and some pregnancy books, and finally got to this one. It was well worth the wait.
I found this story to be intriguing, entertaining, terrifying, thought-provoking. Like others who wrote, I appreciated Atwood leaving the ending open to my interpretation. I'd like to revisit in the future, and see how my interpretation changes at different points in my life, and what I'm experiencing when I finish it next. That's got to be a mark of a good book!

This is the end of the ray for this book. I have put it on the shelf at home for now, and will either try to revive a ray, or will release. I haven't really determined which course yet, but will do so in the next few weeks so that this glorious book doesn't sit collecting dust with me. Thank you so much for sharing!

Brew 

Journal Entry 27 by brewster13 from Calgary, Alberta Canada on Wednesday, September 06, 2006

Ok, maybe it took more than a few weeks to get something going with this book (see previous entry), but it's happening now and that's what is important ;-)

I am opening this book up as an international bookray. Please PM me if you're interested!! Brewster13 

Journal Entry 28 by brewster13 from Calgary, Alberta Canada on Friday, September 08, 2006

Here are the participants so far. I am waiting to hopefully get a few more readers before sending this off, but this will get started in the next couple of weeks for sure.

Order (proposed):
1. aisling78 - US (US only) done
2. Fran-kinstein - Canada done, but unread :-(
3. chas04 - UK done
4. BellaMack - Australia (Aust only) with this reader




_____________________________________________________________________

RULES FOR THIS BOOKRAY:
1. Journal when you receive, journal again with your thoughts, and journal when you ship the book to the next person.
2. Please try to send the book on within one month of receiving it. If you are going to have the book for longer than one month, please journal so that we know to expect the delay.
3. Please try to stick a local postcard in the book when sending on to the next person. If this isn't possible, that's ok...but if you can, that'd be nice.
4. Enjoy the book!!
 

Journal Entry 29 by Aisling78 from Essex, Massachusetts USA on Monday, October 02, 2006

Eeek! Quite a few bookrings & rays arrived all at the same time -- how does that happen?!?

I am a relatively fast reader, so I don't believe that I will hold this book up too long (and if I do I'll sadly send it on it's way).

Thank you, brewster13, for sharing this book as a ray. It is one I've been looking forward to reading. (I may even jump it ahead of other rings, but *shhhhh*, don't tell!) 

Journal Entry 30 by Aisling78 from Essex, Massachusetts USA on Thursday, October 26, 2006

I don't know if I can adequately describe what I am feeling after finishing this book. I feel stunned. I devoured this book in just two days, because I had to reach the end and find out what happened to Offred. Now, for the past day, my mind has been churning – imagining possible outcomes, both positive & negative. I saw that one previous reader thought this book was outdated, which I can understand, in a way. But when I read a well-written book I tend to fall into its world, and I did with this one. While I was reading this book, Gilead existed for me. The losses suffered by Offred, of her family, of her friends, of her independence…of her very life as it once was, were suffocating in their sadness, and the future she had, if you could call it such, was beyond bleak. The epilogue that consisted of a transcript from an academic convention was surprising, and also filled in some of the blanks about the Republic of Gilead that were left vague throughout the novel. I’ve never read a book by Margaret Atwood before this, and now I’d like to get my hands on more (Cliff’s Wish List, here I come!).

Thank you, brewster13, for sharing this book. I’ll pm this book and send it off to the next bookcrosser, but will probably be thinking about this novel long after it leaves my hands. This is a book that will be difficult to forget.
 

Journal Entry 31 by Fran-kinstein from Yorkton, Saskatchewan Canada on Friday, November 17, 2006

I got the book yesterday! Cool.

Yes, it sounds like Margaret Atwood was up to some spooky mischief with this one, judging by the journal entries here. I really liked her 'Alias Grace'. It was written so smoothly and had great characterization. This book appears to be of a totally different style.

I have two books ahead of it, and I'm not a super fast reader, so i hope it's ok but I will probably go over a month. Please be patient, I am really looking forward to it!

LATER-
Well I don't think I'll get to it before Christmas. But I realized what I can do instead: I'll send it on, and when I'm ready to read it, I'll borrow it from the library and make a journal entry here at that time. Not a true book-cross, but it'll have to do.

 

Journal Entry 32 by Fran-kinstein from Yorkton, Saskatchewan Canada on Thursday, December 14, 2006

This book is now on it's way to the U.K. Bon Voyage!! 

Journal Entry 33 by chas04 from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, December 29, 2006

The book finally arrived after fighting it's way through the Christmas post. I'm finishing off Bill Bryson and then I'll start on this one. Thank you! 

Journal Entry 34 by chas04 from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Sunday, December 31, 2006

I enjoyed it and finished in a couple of days. It's not quite as scary as perhaps A Brave New World but some parts were spot on. Chills went up my spine when it was mentioned that Muslim fundamentalists were the ones blamed for the breakdown in government (how like today that Muslims are blamed for anything). I was disappointed by the ending though, I really wanted to find out about Offred, Luke and their child. I supose I just like a happy ending whereas this didn't really end.

I am PMing BellaMack for her address and then I'll send this on. 

Journal Entry 35 by chas04 from Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, January 03, 2007

Got BellaMack's address so the book is being posted on Friday. Enjoy it! 

Journal Entry 36 by BellaMack from St Helens, Tasmania Australia on Wednesday, January 10, 2007

Received today, thank you so much Chas04 together with a beautiful postcard to add to my collection :)Thank you also brewster13 for offering the bookray