Offred is a Handmaid in The Republic of Gilead, a religious totalitarianstate in what was formerly known as the United States.She is placed in the household of The Commander, Fred Waterford - herassigned name, Offred, means 'of Fred'. She has only one function: tobreed.If Offred refuses to enter into sexual servitude to repopulate adevastated world, she will be hanged.Yet even a repressive state cannot eradicate hope and desire. As sherecalls her pre-revolution life in flashbacks, Offred must navigatethrough the terrifying landscape of torture and persecution in thepresent day, and between two men upon which her future hangs.Masterfully conceived and executed, this haunting vision of the futureplaces Margaret Atwood at the forefront of dystopian fiction.'Fiercely political, yet witting and wise...this novel seems ever morevital in the present day' ObserverVintage Quarterbound Classics: Bound to be beautiful
