Margaret Atwood: The Handmaid’s Tale has become ‘more and more plausible’

Margaret Atwood, author of "The Handmaid's Tale," stated in a recent BBC Radio 4 interview that the novel's dystopian themes have become increasingly plausible, particularly after 2016. Published in 1985, the book depicts a totalitarian regime in the US where women are subjugated and forced to reproduce. Atwood noted that while she doesn't expect the handmaids' outfits to materialize, other aspects of the story feel more relevant today. She acknowledged the red cloaks worn by handmaids have become a symbol of protest in the US, especially concerning reproductive rights. Despite the concerning trends, Atwood remains cautiously optimistic, citing America's diversity and its citizens' aversion to being controlled as reasons for hope. She also pointed to the filming of "The Testaments" as evidence that the US is not yet a full totalitarian state.

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