We’ve been both excited and unsettled by the upcoming Hulu adaptation of The Handmaid’s Tale due to its uncanny resonance with our current moment and its powerful messages about women and resistance. The growing interest isn’t just in the upcoming show, but also a renewed interest in Margaret Atwood’s original novel. Atwood’s book has recently risen to the bestseller list alongside other dystopian novels like 1984, which makes Audible’s new extended version of The Handmaid’s Tale very exciting.
Narrated by Claire Danes, this Special Edition expands on the original last line of the novel. Nerdist reports that Atwood felt the medium was perfect for this expansion:
The roots of my original book are in audio — Offred’s story was recorded, not written, and even the ‘Historical Notes’ are a voice – so I was excited to extend the story with additional material meant specifically to be heard. The time is right for this Audible edition, with a stellar performance by Claire Danes and a “continuation” of sorts that can’t be found anywhere else. The Handmaid’s Tale is alive, it seems — and like all living things, it grows and multiplies!
If you’ve read the book or don’t mind spoilers, you can head over to The Hollywood Reporter for a detailed report on what Atwood adds in this extended ending and how it probes your understanding of the book.
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