Brian & I bought some copies to distribute to people who haven't read it yet.

I have mailed this off to another BookCrosser in either New York or Alabama.

Thank you, stinalyn! I received it in good condition yesterday, but have just turned on my computer to journal it this evening. I started reading it this afternoon, and am already engrossed!

I'll be thinking about this novel for a long time. It was such an unusual story.

Everything came crashing down suddenly - a crisis, then the complete destruction of American government. Without warning, all women's bank accounts were frozen; their credit cards were no good; they had no money, no way to support themselves. Then things went downhill from there.

The story was told in flashbacks, and sometimes a little hard to follow. It told of the central character's life before, when she had a husband, a child, and a job; and their desperate attempt to escape to Canada; and of her "training" with other women to her new life as a "Handmaid" - an Old Testament style surrogate childbearer for a leader of the new society and his wife. (Think Abraham and Hagar)

She is known only as "Offred" ("of Fred," the Commander whose household she serves). She is a quiet, unassuming woman who only tries to keep her head down (literally) and not make waves. Information comes to her through unexpected sources, and new opportunities are presented, until finally, her life is changed again, and again she is running for her life.

I got this book in my Christmas Ornament Exchange from FancyHorse. Thank you so much for the box full of goodies! Merry Christmas.