Well... I reviewed the first book of the series a few months ago and gave it quite the bad rating. I was sure I wouldn't enjoy the other parts as well, I had decided that it just wasn't for me. But since I had some credits left on Audible, I downloaded the audiobook. And boy was I wrong. I devoured the book in three days and absolutely loved it. 
 Margaret Atwood does, once again, a remarkable job at creating believable and human characters with their flaws and quirks and good and bad sides. Although the reader starts off with three absolutely new characters that find themselves in inexplicable situations, the plot reveals itself quite quickly and doesn't leave the reader with this foggy feeling throughout the whole book as the first one did. Well, at least for me. 
 Finally we get a view at the whole thing, the whole story and scenarios and piece by piece everything ties up in such a satisfying manner, I was left in awe. Yes, I know, I speak very highly of this book, it's cliche, but to be honest I was left disappointed with the first book and felt almost guilty for not liking it. Now I can't wait to download the third of the series and that makes me really happy, as Margaret Atwood is one of my favourite authors. 
 The book changes between three characters, although the third one doesn't make much of an appearance throughout the book. I have to say that I really liked the fact that every part was read by another voice actor and it even included songs written by the author, although I have to admit that I mostly skipped through those. 
 Margaret Atwood knows no taboos and she shows the world in it's brightest beauty and darkest ugliness, but doesn't overdo either one of them. The reader isn't left disgusted or in disbelief, he's just confronted with what tends to happen in a post apocalyptic world where everyone's just trying to survive. 
 It's incredible how Margaret Atwood, without being judgmental, without pointing fingers, is able to depict a world that isn't too far away from our present one. Although many things are extreme and a little overdone, they show us what's actually wrong with our own world and how we live and behave in it makes it worse. It really makes you think and it actually scares the crap... the living hell... well it just damn scares me. She's not preachy, she doesn't act superior, she just shows the reader one potential outcome of how the world we live in could turn out if we don't change the way we treat it. 
 So, do I think one should endure the first book to read the second one? Definitely. It was well worth the read and although the first one really wasn't my cup of tea, the second one well made up for it. Or do you think the three badges I earned on Audible come from nothing?