Started Reading: May 27, 2024
Finished Reading: July 24, 2024
I have read 100% of this book
Verdict: Enjoyed it! (4 of 5 stars)
Really loved Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale (the book, but the series is also amazing), and glad I ventured into more of her writing! This story is another pretty fucked up "what if" setting, where the rust belt's complete lawlessness makes being a literal part-time prisoner an attractive escape. Main characters Stan and Charmaine settle in, but definitely discover their own flaws when it comes to their marriage, leading to a harrowing journey back to a new "normal." Prison, a Stepford Wives-esque gated community with a dark side, sex robots, and a heavy dose of extra marital affairs keep this story moving.
I did find Stan and Charmaine's characters to be a bit two-dimensional, but I feel like it was written as such on purpose. Stan, while a bit of a nerdy IT guy, does really think about beer and tits quite a bit. Charmaine seems to oscillate between two states: "oh golly gee!" and pouty Tinkerbell, and prefers little floral prints on most fabrics. The other characters all seem to be there as puzzle pieces, fitting exactly into the roles.they play in the narrative. No more and no less.
Definitely worth the read if only just for the world building. I would actually love to see this one made into a movie, as I feel like the structure and story would lend itself to film very well (and I can already see the movie poster...nothing but a giant closeup of a blue knitted teddy bear).