This is a masterful novel and, paired with it's precursor, "The Parable of the Sower," as important a work of fiction as I can imagine. The story of a young, driven woman and would be messiah planted in a world that has crumbled and is still on its downward trajectory is compelling. Add to that Butler's talent for anticipating the fallout from the undealt-with crisis of the environment and the unchallenged brutality of American conservatism and ignorance—all of it creates a world that could be today, or it could be next week. One thing is certain, it could happen in our lifetimes. One feels that "The Handmaid's Tale" could fit into this dystopic universe like a hand in glove. Gilead could have been a regional faction of Butler's Christian America movement. The same threads of racism and misogyny run through both. Interesting that the two most important science fiction works of the last 40 years both take aim at Christofascism in such accurate, prophetic ways.

You must read this book.