The Testaments – Margaret Atwood
Set 15 years after the events of “The Handmaid’s Tale,” Margaret Atwood trades the claustrophobia of the first novel for a broader and more literary exploration of Gilead. Her growth as a writer is evident, as is the maturation of Gilead itself — a society whose oppressive mechanisms are now deeply entrenched in day-to-day life.
While “The Testaments” may not be as beloved as the original — let’s be honest, few sequels are — I still found it to be a compelling page-turner that stands as a masterclass in dystopian fiction.
Here, Atwood employs three distinct perspectives: Aunt Lydia, Daisy (Baby Nicole) and Agnes. This narrative structure broadens the scope of the story, though not all voices are equally captivating.
Aunt Lydia, a minor but menacing figure in the first book, becomes the story’s lynchpin. Her arc reveals a cunning individual whose calculated survivalism masks deep regrets and unflinching self-awareness.
Through her epistolary confessions, we see a woman grappling with her complicity in Gilead’s horrors while skillfully manipulating its power structures to sow its downfall. Atwood’s portrayal of Lydia evokes both fascination and discomfort — she’s a villain whose humanity is as undeniable as her ruthlessness.
Daisy’s storyline adds an outsider’s perspective. Raised in Canada by Mayday operatives (anti-Gilead militants), she discovers her true identity as Baby Nicole, a sacrificial hero in Gilead’s propaganda.
Her infiltration of the Pearl Girls – Gilead’s covert operatives disguised as missionary Aunts – gave an outsider's perspective of life in Gilead, though her reactions sometimes verge on the overwrought.
Her half-sister, Agnes, offers a stark contrast as a child of Gilead. Agnes’s journey — from subjugation to reluctant resistance — reflects the indoctrination and eventual awakening of a generation shaped by theocratic oppression. These intertwined narratives expose the rigid hypocrisies of Gilead, particularly its manipulation of faith and tradition.
Thematically, Atwood excels in expanding the ideas touched upon in “The Handmaid’s Tale” and its television adaptation. The inner workings of Gilead’s power structures, the Mayday resistance movement and the lives of the next generation are explored with a richness that the original’s single POV could not provide.
Once again, the author is at her best when critiquing the dangerous allure of theocracy and patriarchy, the human propensity to scapegoat in times of crisis and the ease with which people accept comforting lies over uncomfortable truths. The novel’s echoes of contemporary political discourse — particularly regarding borders, refugees and the resurgence of "tradwife" ideals – are unsettling.
Aunt Lydia’s story remains the most compelling thread, a villain origin story that interrogates the morality of survival under oppressive regimes. Atwood draws parallels to the questions posed after World War II: why do ordinary people enable systems of immense cruelty? Lydia’s tactical brilliance and moral ambiguity make her a standout character, one whose actions are as horrifying as they are fascinating.
Stylistically, “The Testaments” leans more toward mystery and slow-burn thriller than the domestic horror of “The Handmaid’s Tale.” The layered betrayals and double-crosses among the Aunts, the machinations of Commander Judd and the unraveling of Gilead’s foundations are all interesting, albeit less visceral than June's subjugation in the first novel.
This shift in tone feels deliberate. Atwood is far too skilled to simply retell the same story, though I can see why the added ambiguity might disappoint fans of the first novel — particularly those seeking clear answers about June's fate and whether Nicole and Agnes are her children. That said, I felt the author left little room for doubt on this plot point.
While I started reading this as an eBook, I quickly downloaded the audiobook from the library because my reading pace could not keep up with my desire to find out what was going to happen next. The audiobook enhanced my overall experience with a stellar cast, including Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia, Bryce Dallas Howard as Agnes and Mae Whitman as Daisy.
While all did solid work bringing the characters to life, it was Dowd, who embodies Lydia on screen, that delivered a chilling and nuanced performance, cementing her as the definitive embodiment of the character.
While “The Testaments” lacks some of the sharp edges of its predecessor, it more than compensates with entertainment value. Atwood has crafted a sequel that not only satisfies but also enhances the legacy of “The Handmaid’s Tale.”
As the novel concludes with a tantalizing nod to a potential third installment, I can only hope Atwood will continue to explore the hauntingly prescient world of Gilead.
Rating (story): 5/5 stars
Rating (narration): 5/5 stars
Format: Hybrid read/listen (personal library/library loan)
Dates read: January 11 – January 18, 2025
Multi-tasking: Good to go. The narration is phenomenal, but it’s helpful to understand who the main players are — especially the witness testimonies — so the connections are clearer in the end. Having a physical copy helped make this easier, so definitely plan for activities that allow for concentration.
