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The Handmaid's Tale adaptations: books & series
Every version of The Handmaid's Tale — the books & series, compared across media.
Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale imagines a near-future New England reshaped into the Republic of Gilead — a totalitarian, theocratic state built on patriarchal control, where women are stripped of autonomy and assigned fixed roles. The story follows one woman's life as a handmaid within this system. From its origins as a 1985 novel to a 2017 television series, the same chilling premise has found expression across both page and screen.
The Handmaid's Tale series
The Handmaid's Tale books
Frequently asked
Is The Handmaid's Tale based on a book?
Yes. The story originates with Margaret Atwood's 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale, set in the dystopian Republic of Gilead. The 2017 television series draws from the same premise and world.
How many versions of The Handmaid's Tale are there?
Two versions are covered here: Atwood's original 1985 novel and the 2017 TV series, both built around the same story of a woman living under theocratic rule in a dystopian future.
Which version of The Handmaid's Tale should I start with?
The 1985 novel The Handmaid's Tale is the source of the story. The 2017 TV series The Handmaid's Tale expands on the same world and is a strong entry point for those who prefer television.