The Handmaid's TaleThe Handmaid's Tale

Offred is a Handmaid in the Republic of Gilead. Once a day, she may leave the home of the Commander and his wife to walk to food markets where signs are now in picutures because women are no longer allowed to read. Once a month, she must lie on her back and pray that the Commander makes her pregnant because Handmaids are only valued if their ovaries are viable. Offred can remember when she lived and made love with her husband and played with their daughter. When she had a job, money, and access to knowledge. But all of that is gone now.