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‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Sequel to be Released in 2019

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Acclaimed author of the feminist dystopian novel “The Handmaid’s Tale” is in the process of writing a sequel set a decade and a half after the original story.

Margaret Atwood’s upcoming novel, titled “The Testaments,” is scheduled for release in September of next year and will hopefully answer some questions fans have had about the Republic of Gilead.

Atwood let the news slip Monday, teasing, “Everything you’ve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything!” She also revealed that “The Testaments” was inspired by current events in the real world and will have three different female narrators who will be narrating has not yet been revealed. The sequel may focus on the aftermath of the fall of the Republic of Gilead after 15 years and the journey each female narrator takes as women’s rights and freedom of religion are slowly restored, but details regarding the story have not been made public.

The Handmaids Tale book“The Handmaid’s Tale” was originally published back in 1985 and enchanted its readers with a depiction of the U.S. being reformed into a totalitarian nation. Women have no rights, not even being allowed to read or write. Some women, like protagonist and narrator, Offred, are forced to act as breeding vessels.

The novel received brand new attention in 2017 for two reasons: the start of Trump’s time in the presidential office and the premiere of “The Handmaid’s Tale” series on Hulu. The first season won acclaim for illustrating a dystopian future that some Trump critics believe is close to becoming real. Season one won eight Emmys from 13 nominations in 2017.

The television series has deviated away from the novel’s storyline, such as diversifying the cast and making Offred more rebellious.  “The Testaments” will be Atwood’s version of the story. According to a press release by Atwood’s publisher, McClelland & Stewart, the novel will not have a connection to its TV adaptation. Anyone who has seen the television series but not read the novel may discover new details about the world of post-Gilead with the sequel.

While fans are waiting, they can stream the first two seasons of “The Handmaid’s Tale” on Hulu. Season three, which is currently in production, is expected to arrive sometime in 2019.

 

Jessica Baker is a Journalism and Emerging Media major at KSU and an intern at Hers Magazine as well as AllWrite Publishing.

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