The Handmaid’s Tale

Book Information

In Margaret Atwood’s dystopian future, environmental disasters and declining birthrates have led to a Second American Civil War. The result is the rise of the Republic of Gilead, a totalitarian regime that enforces rigid social roles and enslaves the few remaining fertile women. Offred is one of these, a Handmaid bound to produce children for one of Gilead’s commanders. Deprived of her husband, her child, her freedom, and even her own name, Offred clings to her memories and her will to survive.

Challenges & Bans

This book has been challenged over concerns about the depictions of sexuality, graphic depictions of violence, profanity, perceived anti-Christian themes, and it’s LGBTQ representation.

Specific Challenges*:
Upper Moreland School District, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (2001): After complaints of inappropriate subject matter, this book was down graded from “Required” to “Optional” for the high school’s 11th grade summer reading list

Texas (2002): Challenged for descriptions of sexual encounters.

Judson School Board, Bexar County, Texas (2006, 2007): After the superintendent of the school district banned the novel from AP English curriculum, the school board overturned the decision following a review committee comprised of students, teachers and parents had appealed the ban.

Guilford County, North Carolina (2013, 2014): The inclusion of this title both at Page High School (required reading for students in the International Baccalaureate class) and at Grimsley High School’s (optional reading for student in AP Reading class) brought challenges before the Guilford County Schools Board describing the title as “sexually explicit, violently graphic and morally corrupt”. Parents also raised the argument that the title was “detrimental to Christian values.” The book was retained in both instances.

Wyomissing High School, Berks County, Pennsylvania (2018): A group of parents attempted to get the novel removed from Wyomissing High School’s summer reading list of books recommended for juniors and seniors, citing vulgar language and graphic depictions of sex. After a meeting with school district officials, administrators decided to retain the book while developing additional options for families who chose not to read it.

North Atlanta, Georgia (2020): The book was included on a reading list for a 12th grade AP Literature & Composition. A student’s mother wanted the book removed from the high school as a whole, alleging “porn and gore and cursing,” and forbade her child from reading it. A committee comprised of more than a dozen staff, administrators, and parents discussed the item in a meeting, while the mother “held prayer circles outside the library”. The committee voted to retain the novel.

Marietta, Ohio (2020): The novel was offered as a choice to students in an elective English class at the high school. Complaints were filed with the school board, alleging “vulgarity and sexual overtones”. The school board voted to retain the book in the curriculum, with their decision based on their belief that the cited passages did not reflect the context of the novel.

Georgia (2021): SB 226, which would remove school librarians from the reviewing book challenges and let school principals and school boards be the only decision makers, parents cited a number of books as being objectionable – including this title. The Senate Judiciary Committee heard many arguments as to why this title should be banned, including: the book was “garbage”, dismay that the graphic novel adaptation would make it even more accessible to juvenile audiences, as well as the allegation that the retention of this title meant “Every school district is exhibiting obscene materials to minors.” SB 226 was withdrawn from consideration by the House on March 31, 2021.

Council Bluffs Community School District, Pottawattamie County, Iowa (2025): In September 2024, 59 titles were removed from all school libraries in the Council Bluffs Community School District, including this title. The CBCSD Superintendent said the books were removed “to comply with Senate File 496”. This Iowa law requires the removal of any book containing a description of a sex act from school libraries. However, on March 25, 2025, enforcement of the law was enjoined due to constitutional concerns.

*Source: Marshall University Library Banned Books webpage

Awards & Accolades

Governor General’s Literary Award, Arthur C. Clarke Award for Science Fiction Literature

Where to Purchase