Advertisement

Margaret Atwood writing sequel to ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’

Author Margaret Atwood holding a copy of her novel 'The Handmaid's Tale.'. Getty Images

Canadian literary great Margaret Atwood is writing a sequel to her internationally renowned dystopian novel The Handmaid’s Tale.

Publisher McClelland and Stewart says it will publish The Testaments on Sept. 10, 2019.

The Handmaid’s Tale was published in 1985 and won a Governor General’s Award.

READ MORE: Margaret Atwood helps student who tweets for help with ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ essay

The story, about a totalitarian society in which women are a property of the state, was adapted last year into an Emmy Award-winning series.

McClelland and Stewart says The Testaments is set 15 years after protagonist Offred’s final scene in The Handmaid’s Tale and is narrated by three female characters.

Wait, There’s More: The Handmaid’s Tale sequel, The Testaments, is finally here

Offred, played by Elisabeth Moss in the television series, is a “handmaid” forced to bear children for infertile couples.

Story continues below advertisement

“Dear Readers: Everything you’ve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book. Well, almost everything!”Atwood said Wednesday in a statement.

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.

Get breaking National news

For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

“The other inspiration is the world we’ve been living in.”

“Yes indeed to those who asked: I’m writing a sequel to The #HandmaidsTale. #TheTestaments is set 15 years after Offred’s final scene and is narrated by three female characters. It will be published in Sept 2019,” Atwood tweeted.

Sponsored content

AdChoices