The Hand Maiden

I read the book years ago as well and although I loved it I thought it was a bit far-fetched. Now it seems so much more possible. Read her last trilogy about Oryx and Crake and thought the same, now I'm beginning to wonder..

I read the book about thirty years ago and couldn't understand why the women let this happen to them. But this series makes that clearer. Can't remember what happens next - I'm tempted to buy a Kindle version to read now.
Beautifully filmed. Looking forward to the next series.

There's definitely more in the book, grannyticktock. I wanted to look up the bit where we've finished off in this series but I've lent it to my granddaughter who is completely hooked.

I read it about 15 years ago so there's a lot I don't remember.

Looking forward to the next series because I think the acting has been brilliant.

So did the book end like that too? Is there a second book, or have they deliberately left the story unresolved and not completed the screenplay, in order to squeeze Part Two out of it? I thought it was an excellent production, but it left me a bit puzzled, wondering how it relates to the book.

It was very dark at times, but I enjoyed it. I too didn't realise there would be a second series. So glad her friend escaped. I really like Elizabeth Moss, she was great in the top of the lake/China girl too.

Wow! What a powerful series ending. Riveting. And so beautifully filmed. It's frustrating that it's not the end yet when you're expecting a resolution to the story.
I read it many years ago and found it unsettling. Even more unsettling now when the world seems such a scary place and this scenario seems even more relevant.
Absolutely brilliant.

Oh it's finished and I don't know if I'm happy or not. So wanted Offred to escape, but there is a second series to come! Rather gory last episode but hubby and friend are both free they have to try to find her, don't they?

I enjoyed the series but I didn't know there would second series!.

Flipping heck I was looking forward to knowing what happened.

I loved the colours, the red cloaks on the snow.

Must watch this on iplayer or whatever. My DD is bullying me into watching trying to educate my tastes. She tells me I should would love Margaret Atwood's work ?

I have found this to be a very watchable and thought provoking series. I am looking forward to the second series. I had the book bought for me as a present but didn't want to read it until I had seen the whole series. Will be reading it soon.

Last episode last night. (30/7/17) For those of us still hanging on, there will be a series two next year.

Thank you for that Ilovecheese.

A question to those of you who have read the book.
Does Commander Fred hide the sausage with Offred ( without his wife there providing a pillow) and she becomes pregnant. Wifey is very confused as she knows that the old fella couldn't / wouldn't rise to the occasion

The whipping was real.
The previous handmaid hung herself.
Commander Fred does not want Offred to hang herself, or that would be another failure, so he must have told his wife to let her out of her room.
He wants to make a connection with her to enable him to 'perform'.
The Guardian website does a very good episode by episode review, that helped me to work it out. (as well as watching it twice!)

Can somebody help me with last night's episode? I got very confused as to what was happening. Offred "escaped" with one of the other hand maids who had attacked and stolen the uniform of a "minder" (I don't know what they're called). Then Offred was picked up at the station while the woman in disguise escaped. Offred was whipped on the feet. But was she just imagining this is what happened to a previous hand maid because the story seemed to jump around and at the end of the episode she was leaving the house and OK. I think I must be getting a bit dim in my old age and, although I read the book, it was many years ago and I can't remember it.

Welcome *grumpyoldwoman56". I agree with your post. I have found this programme very thought provoking. Think it's very insightful, we'll written and acted. Hope you enjoy gransnet.

Hi,

This is my first post! Anyway,yes it is disturbing but some of these things are actually happening elsewhere in the world. I read the book many years ago. It was written in the 80s but I think it is good the way the programme has updated it to the contemporary world. Elisabeth Moss is excellent in the main role.

Watched it last night, (Mon. 12th.) This was scarily up to date, with FGM used as punishment. The plausibility of how a whole race of emancipated women could be brought to heel by blocking their bank accounts, and their right of work was unnervingly plausible.
I read the book when it was first published, back in the eighties, and this version seems to have been updated to reflect more modern sexist traits.

Can't get subtitles on catch up!

You'll have to be very quick in spotting them then ...

I'll try to concentrate on the dark humour bits Tegan

Can't get subtitles to work on Ch4; usually have them on other channels. Although it is menacing/depressing there is a certain amount of dark humour in it. I can't remember much about the film, and I haven't read the book, so whether that's been added by Ch4 I don't know. Reminds me of their excellent 'Humans' series.

I use subtitles or constantly miss bits. I think it is well done and very menacing, but also depressing as can't help thinking about women in some parts of world who may be experiencing similar. We are so lucky to be living in a liberal society.

I think it is very good. A futuristic nightmare scenario. We are recording the whole series. Some mumbling but the women have been trained to be subservient.
I dislike that droning background soundtrack that all directors seem to have to have now to show you the situation is scary. Just in case the audience don't realise that.