A major dystopian work by one of Canada's most important living writers, The Handmaid's Tale has generated controversy since it first appeared in 1985. In this collection aimed at college undergraduate and advanced high school students, introductory essays examine the political and cultural events that led Atwood to write her novel, as well as how critics responded to the book. Other essays analyze the book as a dystopia and in terms of feminist literary theory; examine its narrative structure; look at the role that love plays in the novel; investigate hegemonic and subversive discourses; examine the book in light of America's Puritan past; offer a psychoanalytic reading focusing on narrative gaps and ambiguities; and consider the novel's metafictional elements Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)