Ultimate Popsugar Reading Challenge discussion

Discussion is open for The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood

Please use spoiler tags if you are sharing any plot related surprises.

Posts should be exclusively about this book.

When you've finished, be sure to post in the March challenge: I finished! thread.

I read this book last year during Banned Books Week. I honestly didn't care for it as I thought it ended right as things were starting to get interesting but I know plenty of other people LOVED it! Maybe my expectations were just too high following all the hype around the TV show. I am anxious to hear other peoples thoughts!

Hello, hello all! I'm Kenya and I will be your discussion leader for "The Handmaid's Tale." I hope everyone who joins and reads with us will either enjoy the book or at least take something positive away from it.

A few preliminary questions to start things off:

1. In what format are you reading "The Handmaid's Tale"? Physical copy, e-book, audiobook? How do you think your choice of "book consumption" will affect what you take away from the book?

2. Have you watched the Hulu series "The Handmaid's Tale" before reading the book? If not, do you think you'll watch the series after reading this book?

3. What made you choose "The Handmaid's Tale" for this prompt? If you've read it before for something other than this challenge (or a different challenge), what prompted you to read it then?

And in the interest of fairness I'll answer my own questions:

1. I read this as an e-book while on vacation. I think how it primarily affected my reading experience was that it was harder to go back and re-read passages from earlier on my ancient Kindle...

2. I have not seen "The Handmaid's Tale" series. I don't know if I'll watch it, as I'm always terrified of watching something based on a book I enjoyed and spending half the runtime going "this isn't how it was in the book!"

3. I read this book for last year's PopSugar challenge (the prompt "a problem facing society today"). I'd had it sitting on my Kindle for a long time, and finally decided to give it a shot thanks to both the challenge and the book gaining more hype in the wake of then-recent events (the TV series, women dressing as handmaids at protests, etc.).

I am just shy of 20% through it, and it's a slog. Sorry to those who love it.

1) e-book. Not sure it would affect what I take away.

2) Have not seen it. I was planning to if I enjoyed the book, but that's not looking likely now unless it gets better.

3) Technically, I'm reading it for the "Read by a Stranger in Public" prompt because its the only book I've been able to see being read in public. I enjoy being a part of the group reads when I haven't read it before, and I've vowed to read all the group reads to perhaps find a book I love that I otherwise may not have picked up.

I knew I forgot a book when I was yesterday in the library :-( I hope I'll go next week again - for the online library copy I have to wait more than two weeks.
Since it'll be a re-read for me I'll still join the discussion.

BTW a big difference I noticed between the original and German translation are the names of the maids - the English names start all with Of (and than comes the name of the commanding officer/male 'owner') in German they start with Des - regarding the way of thinking behind those names it makes sense they were change according to German gramar, but it took some time for me to get behind the change :-)

1. In what format are you reading "The Handmaid's Tale"? Physical copy, e-book, audiobook? How do you think your choice of "book consumption" will affect what you take away from the book?
Not sure yet, either paperback (local library) or ebook (online library). If I get the paperback I'll read most likely in bits and pieces depending when I'll have time at home and in case of the ebook I'll read it most likely in the evenings before I go to sleep and when I'm out of house (I'm reading while I'm walking and during all of my doctor appointments or other waiting time periods)

2. Have you watched the Hulu series "The Handmaid's Tale" before reading the book? If not, do you think you'll watch the series after reading this book?
No and I don't think I'll do in the next future (if it's even available in Germany) - the last three of four years I had to force myself to watch anything (I needed some Austen movies for a challenge) and I'm not sure I want replace the pictures I have in my mind by other people's interpretations/ideas :-)

3. What made you choose "The Handmaid's Tale" for this prompt? If you've read it before for something other than this challenge (or a different challenge), what prompted you to read it then?
I read it last year for the Popsugar challenge (but I'm not sure about the prompt anymore) and a bunch of other challenges though the main reason were the many recommendations and so I decided to see what's the hype about. Usually I dislike dystropian books but loved this one and knew alreday when I finished it I'll want to re-read it and join a buddy or group read if I'll see one to learn other people's take on this book.

I´ll just answer these questions and not go in here again until I´ve finished (maybe in March???), I found out with Beartown, that I haven´t finished yet, is that even though people use spoiler tags I still don´t like to see peoples opinions before I´ve made my own - it colours my perception of the book too much.

1. In what format are you reading "The Handmaid's Tale"? Paperbook, hardcover. I like paperbooks, I´m old-fashioned that way :) I read differently so the experience is different. I read e-books on my phone and it tends to be less concentrated (but that might also have be because of what I read on my phone), and audiobooks is completely different.

2. Have you watched the Hulu series "The Handmaid's Tale" before reading the book? If not, do you think you'll watch the series after reading this book?
I want to watch it, but I want to read the book first. Not out of principle, but because I´ve wanted to read the book for years.

3. What made you choose "The Handmaid's Tale" for this prompt?
Same, I´ve meant to read it for years, and I´m putting off watching the series untill then...

reply | flag *

1. In what format are you reading "The Handmaid's Tale"? I am reading/listening to a kindle e-book with audiobook option. I’m glad I have the e-book, too, because I didn’t realize there were no quotation marks. Also, the narrator has a great voice and delivery.

2. Have you watched the Hulu series "The Handmaid's Tale" before reading the book? If not, do you think you'll watch the series after reading this book? Nope! But I wanted to read it before I started watching it.

3. What made you choose "The Handmaid's Tale" for this prompt? If you've read it before for something other than this challenge (or a different challenge), what prompted you to read it then? It’s been on my To Read list for awhile. I’m also doing the Around the Year challenge and this week’s prompt was a book with a body part in the title, so it fit! Otherwise I would have read it for the Literary Fiction prompt.

I'm not reading it again as I just read it at the end of last year.
It was ok but not worthy of a reread so soon when there are so many other good books still to be read.
1) I went with paperback as that is what they have at school.
2) no didn't even know it existed.
3) I read it because it was on the kids reading list and looked sort of interesting. Plus it meant I could help a bit with their assignments.

I probably won’t read along as my plate is full and I’ve read it multiple times but I’ll answer anyway.

1) hard copy, I don’t know how it affected my reading of it though.
2) yes and LOVE it. For those on the fence a) it is different but still stays true to the book; b) it really expands on the world outside of Offred’s immediate experience which is harder with the first person narrative in the book, so there’s a lot more action, explanation and growth of characters outside of that box; and c) season 1 ends where the book does so if you liked it but wanted to know what next? Season 2 is that (season 2 isn’t out so I can’t comment on whether it’s good or bad but it is definitely a continuation.
3) read it for assigned reading in high school and loved it so I’ve read it for fun a couple times

1. read as an audiobook
2. haven't seen the Hulu series and don't plan to
3. choose it for two reasons, it was selected group read, and my husband was really interested in it

I am reading this as an E-book on my Kindle.
I have not seen the Hulu series, don't really plan to either. I don't watch much television.
I chose it for two reasons, it was the selected group read. I had no idea what I would use for feminism prompt.
It was a free book with my Kindle Unlimited.

I read this book last week, I have the audio version. I have not seen the show but I do think I will try to find it, I don’t have Hulu so I’ll see how I can get my hands on someone’s password LOL
Are use this book for the feminist category, but I don’t really understand why it’s in that category. I was not super crazy impressed with this book

1. E-book, it doesn’t effect my view or experience except that I will read it faster as it is always available :)
2. I have not and probably will not watch the series
3. I am reading it for this prof because it was picked here. I am doing another reading challenge and find it nice to be able to talk about books with others who are reading the same thing.

I am about 30% through it and am not big fan :( it has been on my list for a while having listened to several book podcasts that sing the praises of This and other books by the same author I was excited to be prompted to actually take it off my TBR fo read, but am disappointed so far

I also wondered why this is at the top of the feminist category. I am disappointed. It is too depressing and too graphic for me. I got through 30 percent and can't read anymore. Just not my cup of tea.

Laura and Cindy,

There was debate about whether this book qualifies as a book about feminism. I think the political and social events of the last year drove this book up in popularity, and it's that connection to women's rights that made it seem like a feminism book (this is just my opinion). Whether if fits is ambiguous enough that we didn't remove it from the nomination list, and it won the vote. Plus this read-a-long is optional so those who don't agree that it works for feminism can choose to read something else. That's what I'm doing :). I have read The Handmaid's Tale before so I may still participate in some discussion.

Does that answer your question? :)

I am listening to The Handmaid's Tale on audio while I am exercising. I might miss some things has it is a little harder to pay attention but as long as I can get it on audio I am using all the group reads on audio if possible.
I am doing something that probably shouldn't be done but I am listening/reading to the book in tandem to watching the Hulu series. There are about equal discs as equal episodes but now I am obviously crossing some of the details in my mind. I keep asking myself was that in the book or the show? And so I try to find it again to listen to but I have a hard time finding it so I live not knowing- hahaha!
This book feels more dystopian then feminist, but I voted for it because of the hype and because I didn't know it was an older book (considered a classic by some) and that was intriguing to me especial in the light of the TV series.

So I believe everyone's had a chance to at least get started on this book so far, so I'm going to post the first week's discussion questions. I'll post new questions every Sunday, and hide them under a spoiler tag just in case there are people who haven't read that far yet.

(view spoiler)[
1. Do you think Atwood's version of the future in this book is realistic? Why or why not?

2. The novel begins with three epigraphs (a Bible verse, a quote from Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," and a Sufi proverb). How do you think each of these epigraphs relates to the novel?

3. The nation of Gilead seems to have created its own vocabulary and terminology within this book. How does it use this new vocabulary to sustain its own rule?
(hide spoiler)]

Discussion questions swiped from various websites, totally not mine...

Okay, here goes-
(view spoiler)[
No, I do not think Atwood's version of the future in this book is realistic- at least as far as I have read, which isn't very far so something might change that could change my mind. I usually love dystopian type books but I am finding it hard to get into it- I have too many questions and can't seem to suspend my disbelief. The funny thing is I like the speculation of the story but am having a hard time believing anything like this could really happen but what do I know.
I am listening to the book so I don't know anything about the epigraphs so please enlighten me.
It twists the Bible and uses it to control women. Instead of names and job titles the women bare the names "of- fill in the blank of their commander." Calling the guards angels is also a way to pretend that they are being protected. Using the name Aunt for those in authority is like trying to pretend this is one big happy family. I guess in summary the language is Biblical and feels like it is trying to protect but is actually used to control, dominate, and create a totalitarian society. (hide spoiler)]

1. No! (view spoiler)[This was one of the things that really bugged me about this book. There is just NO WAY that THAT MUCH change could happen in just a few short years. We were meant to believe that everyone had forgotten the way things had been? There are physical changes to streets, shops, municipal buildings, and none of that could happen so quickly, let alone the complete upheaval of society. Sure, SOME people would go along with it, but not most. Change in vocabulary, change in monetary system, change in clothing, change in names, hanging people in public, taking other men's women to be chattel (I mean, even if the women were powerless, since all their money had been taken, the MEN would not like that idea either).

The entire premise rests on the notion that MOST people would blithely go along with this. And I can't believe that.

She should have made this twenty or forty years into the future, or more. Changes on this level take time, or they are not believable. (hide spoiler)]

2 & 3 - I read it a few years ago and I don't remember enough details now.

Prelim Q's:

1. E-book, I don't think it affected the reading for me at all.

2. I plan to watch the series, but I haven't as of yet.

3. I read this book for the prompt but I read it in January, so I've already finished. I read it in part because of the series coming out and because it was so well talked about on the forums here.

Week 1 Q's:

1. Yes (view spoiler)[I think there is evidence that shows just how quickly a culture can undo all the progress that has been done (such as the circular issues we see with racism, sexism, etc., and how willing the world is to subjugate women to a subservient role, as we've seen with recent scandals involving suppressed sexual assault accusations). I think it's a mistake to assume something like this couldn't happen, just as we thought 1984 was far-fetched and now big brother is everywhere and there are many instances of countries rewriting their history books to suit current political climates or downplay past events that don't show them in a positive light. (hide spoiler)]

2. (view spoiler)[This invented society twists existing writings, rules, and beliefs to their liking in order to prove the legitimacy of the new normal. The novel shows how quickly a well-known quote's meaning can be revised and retaught, it really only takes a few generations to effect such a change if the ruling party can separate children from their parents the way they do in this story. (hide spoiler)]

3. (view spoiler)[The nation of Gilead uses positive terms (such as angel) to describe those things they want the society to accept and embrace, and negative terms, such as an unwoman, to encourage their people to avoid things that are forbidden or to despise the people seen as the dregs of the community. Words and verbal threats are a major weapon used against the oppressed throughout the story. (hide spoiler)]

Larissa wrote: "Okay, here goes- "

Larissa -- the epigraphs at the beginning of the book are as follows (I'm providing them here because I don't believe epigraphs necessarily count as spoilers):

"And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. And Jacob's anger was kindled against Rachel; and he said, Am I in God's stead, who hath withheld from thee the fruit of the womb? And she said, Behold my maid Bilhah, go in unto her; and she shall bear upon my knees, that I may also have children by her" -- Genesis 30:1-3

"But as to myself, having been wearied out for many years with offering vain, idle, visionary thoughts, and at length utterly despairing of success, I fortunately fell upon this proposal..." -- Jonathan Swift, "A Modest Proposal"

"In the desert there is no sign that says, Thou shalt not eat stones." -- Sufi proverb

I hate that I can’t see spoilers on my phone! Step up your game, Goodreads!!!

Tara - same!!! When is GR going to fix this app??!!??

1. I'm reading the ebook. I was able to download it free from Amazon, I think through Prime Reading.

2. Yes! The Hulu series is the reason I want to read the book.

3. I decided to read all of the group monthly selections this year. I had this on my TBR shelf for awhile, but never picked it up. This group is the motivation I needed to read it.

That's all I want to post right now because I'm not very far into the book and I don't like spoilers. I'll try to catch up and join the discussion again soon.

I agree Tara and Nadine! my phone is my most common means of accessing the internet, it's challenging not to be able to see spoilers, edit posts and tag posts in the good reads from my phone.

Whoops! I was going to post new discussion questions yesterday but got distracted and forgot. Better late than never, right?

(view spoiler)[
1. Offred narrates her tale as she remembers it rather than as she lives it. Does her habit about talking about the process of storytelling make it easier or harder for you to suspend disbelief as you read?

2. How do you think this story would be different if it hinged on male, rather than female, fertility?

3. Babies in this world are referred to by terms such as "keepers," "unbabies," and "shredders." What other real or fictional worlds do these terms suggest to you?
(hide spoiler)]

Second Set of Questions-
(view spoiler)[
1. Offred's habit of talking about the process of storytelling is nice- I like hearing her thought process and her feelings, but it makes it harder for me to suspend my disbelief. It feels so personal and she is seems like she can't even explain how Gilead happened. If I were further removed from the story I think I could suspend my disbelief much easier.
2. To a degree it does hinge on male fertility in that not all the men appear to be allowed to procreate- which seems really implausible if making babies is so important. I would think you would find as many available men as possible or are we suppose to believe that all the available men were killed because they were homosexual or otherwise believing or ran away? I don't know. I guess the hierarchy of Gilead is still too confusing for me. Plus as we know it now we can freeze sperm and eggs. I don't know that many Christians or people in general who are totally against this but maybe I am just too shelter to give an opinion on this.
3. It reminds me of The Giver. When babies are "released" they are actually killed/euthanized just like the word "shredders". I am sure there are more but that was the first thing I thought of.
(hide spoiler)]

I finished reading yesterday! Now I feel like I can join the discussion in a meaningful way.

(view spoiler)[
1. Easier. There are points when Offred says that she's doing her best to remember it as it happened, but that her memory isn't perfect. That really is how memory works, especially after living through trauma like she'd been through. There are some parts of Gilead I don't understand because Offred never talks about them or doesn't explain them very well. It allowed me to fill in my own blanks.

2. This is an interesting question that touches on the central theme of the book. The men are also infertile, but only the women are punished. The book says, in many places, that most of the Commanders are infertile. The epilogue explains that a virus made them that way. This is what Atwood is saying about a sexist society. When men encounter a problem, they blame/punish women for it. A much better solution could have been found if the men had accepted some of the responsibility for the infertility virus instead of immediately blaming women and setting up a new society to benefit themselves.

3. I haven't read too much dystopian fiction, so I can't make good comparisons to other books. Actually, the terms "unbabies" and "unwomen" really confused me.
(hide spoiler)]

Some somewhat different questions this week. It seems that a lot of people are having a difficult time with this book or are finding they don't like it. That's all good -- not every book is going to appeal to everyone -- so a few questions pertaining to that:

1. What's the one thing you like best about this book? It can be something to do with the writing style, the plot, the characters, the message you feel it's trying to get across, etc.

2. What's the one thing you like least about this book? Was that one thing bad enough to make you want to stop reading (or to actually go through with stopping)?

3. This book was published in 1985. Do you think its messages have aged well? What sort of messages does it carry that can still apply to society today?

4. Do you think this book qualifies as feminist literature? Why or why not?

I read this last year, after many years of telling myself "I should really read that" and after the same number of years of seeing people rave about it, my expectations were HIGH. I was completely disappointed.

I'm really mystified by this book's immense popularity.

1. What's the one thing you like best about this book? A nice way to start my complaining ;-) I like what this book was trying to do and say. I completely on board w/ Atwood's message.

2. What's the one thing you like least about this book? Was that one thing bad enough to make you want to stop reading (or to actually go through with stopping)? I could not stand the writing style. It's been a year, so I don't remember details any more, but what I do remember is the ENDLESS retellings of what the ceiling looked like, what the rug looked like, such minutiae. It was all told in such a remote fashion that I never really felt I knew the character, and I didn't particularly care about her. I don't think I ever considered quitting the book, it wasn't a slog to read and I don't like to quit books unless they are really awful. I also thought this near-future dystopian world was completely unbelievable - the farther along I got into the book, the more I learned about the world, the less I believed it, and the more irritated I got with the book.

3. This book was published in 1985. Do you think its messages have aged well? What sort of messages does it carry that can still apply to society today? Sure, I guess. I think the message is maybe a little too heavy handed, and while it really resonates with the people who agree, it's probably completely rejected by the people who disagree. Which is a shame.

4. Do you think this book qualifies as feminist literature? I do think this is "feminist" literature, it was part of the vanguard of feminist dystopians that seem to be really taking off now. The central plot point is about gender, how the society enforced artificial rules around gender, etc, and that's a key element to a lot of feminist literature. For me, though, there is a difference between a "feminist book" and a "book about feminism" and this is decidedly not a book about feminism; if anything, it's the opposite.

Kenya wrote: "Larissa wrote: "Okay, here goes- "

Larissa -- the epigraphs at the beginning of the book are as follows (I'm providing them here because I don't believe epigraphs necessarily count as spoilers):

..."
I forgot to thank you for putting these up for me! I eventually was able to find some more information online on cliff notes.

1. My favorite thing about this book is just the pure speculation of it. The idea of a world like this is intense. I like Offred and her thought process, but it is so one sided and I don't feel like I am getting enough information.

2. I guess what I like least about this book is the implausibility I feel when I read it. I also have too many questions that aren't being answered very satisfactorily. I have continued to read because I still find it fascinating just not probable.

3. I guess I am not entirely sure what the message is? I was hoping more people would help me with the answer. Is the message "Women- don't become complacent because men will walk all over you if you let them"? Is the message "this is the future, be afraid"? Did I miss it where the book told how big Gilead is because I could believe something "like" it happening in a region but it couldn't be wide spread- I guess I have too much optimism. We all do become complacent in some things and it is hard to care about EVERYTHING. There is only so much energy to give. I think the message is a good one, but confusing in its delivery. It will be an ageless warning to all.

4. It is more dystopian then feminist but it is feminist literature in the fact that it is trying to address major issues and fears specific to women. It is trying to speculate a world where women are not capable of more than a handful of tasks and labels and color codes. It is a little scary when I write that but I respect most of my fellow men enough to know that they would not let that happen to me and I hope I would be brave enough to never let it happen to a fellow sister if I could at all help it in my limited sphere.

Sorry I didn't get the questions up yesterday! I think this will be my final post as discussion leader, as it seems everyone is either wrapping this book up by now or has DNFed it. Thanks everyone for their input this month!

Spoiler-tagging the questions:

(view spoiler)[
1. Do you feel that the historical notes at the end of the novel add to the novel itself or not?

2. Offred's ultimate fate is left ambiguous by the end of the novel. What do you think happens to her?

3. What's the biggest thing you, personally, will take away from this novel? A message, a particular image, a character, etc.?

4. Do you think you will read anything else by this author after "The Handmaid's Tale"?
(hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[1. They added a lot of context that Offred didn't share, or didn't think/know to share. For example, the fact that underlying Gilead was the racist fear that the white population had declined too much. But I found the notes kind of jarring. The tone shifted so quickly I was stunned. Maybe that was a point.

2. I'm comfortable with the ambiguous end. The novel isn't about one handmaiden so much as it's about a corrupt system. In that context, what happened to Offred isn't as important as what happens to Gilead. Ultimately, the misogynistic institution is destroyed. That's satisfying enough for me.

3. To stay vigilant. Gilead was built so subtly Offred didn't realize she was walled in, figuratively and maybe literally, until it was too late to escape.

4. I didn't really enjoy the book, but I want to love Margaret Atwood. I read a review that called this book "a departure" for her. I think I'll try another book and see if I like it better. (hide spoiler)]

I forgot to join in this discussion earlier, so I guess I'll combine my answers to the questions in one.

Preliminary questions
1. In what format are you reading "The Handmaid's Tale"?
I read an actual book. I'm a dinosaur. Although I often listen to audiobooks, I prefer to read books that I likely will want to think about more intently.

2. Have you watched the Hulu series "The Handmaid's Tale" before reading the book? If not, do you think you'll watch the series after reading this book?
I would love to watch the series but do not have Hulu. I'm hopeful I'll get to see it one day somehow.

3. What made you choose "The Handmaid's Tale" for this prompt? If you've read it before for something other than this challenge (or a different challenge), what prompted you to read it then?
I read this book a couple of years ago because it had been on my TBR list for years, and the world was changing in a way that made it seem relevant.

First set of questions
1. Do you think Atwood's version of the future in this book is realistic? Why or why not?
No, I do not think society will go that far, but this book does show how easily people can be persuaded to accept horrible things.

2. The novel begins with three epigraphs (a Bible verse, a quote from Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal," and a Sufi proverb). How do you think each of these epigraphs relates to the novel?
(view spoiler)[Obviously the bible verse is the justification for the way they use the handmaid to conceive children. In some ways I suppose the Swift quote shows that when people get desperate to survive, they will accept new ways that they would not have done previously. And I'm not sure about the Sufi proverb because I'm not quite sure of the meaning. (hide spoiler)]

3. The nation of Gilead seems to have created its own vocabulary and terminology within this book. How does it use this new vocabulary to sustain its own rule?
(view spoiler)[Removing people's names and replacing them with ownership titles strips the handmaid of their own identity. Renaming people and things with either a positive or negative connotation forces people to see those people and things in the light the rulers intend. It's hard to fight against that. (hide spoiler)]

Second set of questions
1. Offred narrates her tale as she remembers it rather than as she lives it. Does her habit about talking about the process of storytelling make it easier or harder for you to suspend disbelief as you read?
Harder to suspend disbelief as I felt the character was trying her best to tell the story truthfully.

2. How do you think this story would be different if it hinged on male, rather than female, fertility?
Fertility issues have, throughout history, been blamed on women. And even though there is plenty of science now to show otherwise, that is still the default position. Somehow if this had been a male fertility issue, women still would have been blamed.

3. Babies in this world are referred to by terms such as "keepers," "unbabies," and "shredders." What other real or fictional worlds do these terms suggest to you?
When infant mortality rates were so low, it was probably self-preservation to create terms which dehumanized the babies until they were proven to be viable. I cannot think of specific examples of other worlds, though.

Last set of questions
1. What's the one thing you like best about this book?
I liked the writing style as it was somewhat different, and I like different. The characters were fascinating, and the fact that they were usually underdeveloped fit well in the context of the book. That is also true of the description of Gilead as well.

2. What's the one thing you like least about this book? The only thing I wish would have been different is that it didn't tie up in a nice, tidy bow, and I wanted resolution. But that isn't a big problem.

3. This book was published in 1985. Do you think its messages have aged well? What sort of messages does it carry that can still apply to society today?
Its messages have aged well. It does show that our freedoms and rights can be easily stripped if we are not careful, and there are always people who will want to shape society in a way that will benefit them no matter who else gets hurt.

4. Do you think this book qualifies as feminist literature? Why or why not?
I do think it qualifies, because in spite of all the hardships and prejudice and pain, women somehow try to find a way to fight back and to make their lives better.