March One Act: The Testaments - Margaret Atwood

Hi there!

Welcome to our 2026 March Intermission for Margaret Atwood's 2019 novel The Testaments.

Content Warning: Murder, Mass Shooting, Religious Extremism, Religious Violence, Violence in General, Sexual Assault, Explosions, Rape, Torture, Dismemberment, Surveillance State, References to Self-Harm, Suicide Attempt, Child-Marriage, References to Drug Use, Religious Abuse

Overall

We liked this book a lot in comparison to the first book. For example, in the first book, we got some big political moves and action towards the beginning of the book, but we never saw how it got to that point. We ALSO only received the POV of the Handmaid Offred, but never anybody else. In this Sequel, we get a lot more perspective from women in different positions inside Gilead, as well as the women outside of Gilead (specifically in Canada). We definitely needed a perspective increase for this second book, to show that it was all much bigger than Offred.

We also love that all of the stories came together at the end in a very unique way. Aunt Lydia is such a creative, unique, impressive, intelligent, and powerful character. Not only did she orchestrate the downfall of the Puritanical Theocratical Regime of Gilead, but she also did it in such a way that held her friends close, but her enemies closer, and effectively, she played all of her cards as perfectly as she could. There is NO WAY that either of us would be as clever as her.

Becka, Agnes, & Shunammite

Shunammite was our least favorite for several reasons - she was gossipy and a follower, and only friends with Agnes because she had a high standing. Shunammite knows what's going on, but she was so excited to get married to Commander Judd that it became clear that she didn't care about the injustices towards her fellow women.

We feel bad for Becka because it seems she truly believed in the good sides of Gilead, but her father was abusing her, she became suicidal, acted on it, and then felt protected by the Aunts at Ardua Hall, which was then followed by receiving a ton of files from Aunt Lydia that blew her world open again. She learned to read - chose to read the Bible, and then realized that Gilead, even the good sides, is a SHAM. Even still, at the end, she ended up killing herself, but protected her modesty.

Agnes feels like a self-insert character in the sense that she exists for the reader to relate to - and for Becka to have a foil. As she becomes Aunt Victoria, Agnes becomes someone who is working hard to succeed, but really doesn't become interesting until Aunt Lydia and Nicole get involved.

Baby Nicole

We think she's cool as hell - she grew up talking shit about Baby Nicole, which we think is hilarious - after some covert operations, and planting herself within Aunt Lydia's circle, she then becomes a Pearl Girl SPY - which is cool as hell.

In the end - and during her time at Ardua Hall, Nicole seemed up to the challenge of destroying Gilead. She had never done anything like this before - but they couldn't have done it without the help of Aunt Lydia (and vice versa - everything had to go perfectly with Agnes, Nicole, and Becka for things to turn out well).

Aunt Lydia

She had to be very smart to play both sides of the coin, to be honest. Ardua Hall, as Aunt Lydia created it, was safe from men in general - and led to Aunt Lydia having power over those who would be willing to assist MayDay in destroying Gilead. The Pearl Girls were mostly spies, but even then, Aunt Lydia allowed some of them to be genuine missionaries. Even when Nicole was picked up by the missionaries, they immediately began smuggling Nicole across the border. Aunt Lydia DID THAT - she built the system that made it possible to allow MayDay to survive.

Gilead

Gilead relies on a few things to continue - Fear is number one - "Fear of God" is a saying for a reason in the religious basis for Gilead, and that PUSHES most individuals to obey and to remain "faithful." Most people, even in today's world, are afraid of the wrong things and walk forward in life fearing the worst that could happen to them at the hands of others, instead of focusing on creating a world in which things could be better for everyone.

Accessibility of Rebellion

Who can rebel safely? Probably only the people who know they won't be severely punished for rebelling. Just as a speeding ticket is only a crime for poor people, because we cannot afford to receive that ticket in excess, some rebellions are only for white people. Or for men. Those in Gilead can rebel in secret bubbles or pockets of MayDay ideation, especially with one or two like-minded individuals.

Conclusion

Read these two books asap - they're well worth your time.

With love, see you soon!

Ceraya & Brieanna