Just finished The Handmaid's Tale

[cilla4progress]

Chilling.

[bemildred]

1. Ms Atwood is always worth a look.

I liked "Oryx & Crake" a lot too.

And she also includes, in an appendix, her letter to a school district board in San Antonio after it banned her novel "The Handmaid's Tale" (a decision since reversed) for its strong sexual content. "I would like to thank those who have dedicated themselves so energetically to the banning of my novel," she begins. "It's encouraging to know that the written word is still taken so seriously."

[cilla4progress]

2. I'll check it out!

Readying "The Monkey Wrench Gang" by Edward Abbey now!

[SheilaT]

3. Lucky you to be reading it for the first time.

I've read it several times, and since you've mentioned it I should reread it again soon.

[cilla4progress]

4. Yup!

Loved her writing, of course, and loved the "epilogue" at the end - put such great perspective on the "Tale"! Gave me hope that some piece of culture - the good part, would persist through anything apocalyptic that could happen, say, in a Romney presidency!

[The Wielding Truth]

5. Best book for this crazy era of the Tea Party. If they would read, it might open their eyes.

[bemildred]

6. You might even say it was prescient. nt

[Berne Thau]

7. The Joad Cycle: An Anticapitalist Love Story

This dystopian series is broader than the Handmaid's Tale.

It tells the story of near future America after the mega rich have taken control in a Constitutional Coup and eliminated taxes and most government programs.

Life in this future is a Libertarian utopia, but a nightmare for the rest of the folks.

After legislation called the Circle of Life passes in 2035, anyone who costs more than they are worth is executed and American life becomes solely about creating economic value. As bleak as this sounds, it is a so much more, including a postmodern love story.

Try the website, www.joadcycle.com