BookishBitching t1_j0ng0pp wrote
I'd wager a guess that most men don't like the book. It's not necessarily a conscious sexism thing, it's a relatability thing. Most (not all obvi) cis men don't have the experience of having your gender weaponised against you. Legislated against you. No credit cards in your name, no mortgages, no property, no rights. No ability to get an abortion, rapes not investigated. And that's recent history/right now. The sense of crushing, claustrophobic dread is probably more relatable to people who live that on the daily. It's not meant to be a dig, I've just never met a cis man who liked the book, if he was even able to get through it. They exist, just not where I live apparently lmao.
NocturnOmega t1_j0pryy7 wrote
Mmmmm. I don’t know about that. Maybe for some men. But serious readers can empathize with a variety of different walks of life and enjoy a good writers story whatever the social commentary may be. I haven’t read the book, so I can’t speak specifically on its deeper meanings, but I have read Oryx and Crake, and while I can’t say Atwood isn’t a very gifted writer, I just wasn’t in love with her story telling. I liked it, I just didn’t love it. I would love for another of her books to change my mind. There’s a lot of female authors I adore. Shirley Jackson and Le Guinn are 2 of my all time favorites. I think maybe your on to something in terms of impact, that the subject matter might hit closer to home for women. But I think if a male reader loves Atwood’s other work, they’d love this one as well. Pls don’t downvote me for slightly disagreeing. Thank you.
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