Product guide

The Testaments: A Novel by Margaret Atwood

Novel: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood is a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, set more than fifteen years after its events. Three women’s testimonies converge as the regime of Gilead shows signs of internal decay, making this a continuation for readers interested in the story’s later consequences and perspectives.

At a glance

Sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, set more than fifteen years after the earlier story.
Told through the testimonies of three women with different relationships to Gilead.
The publisher description frames the story around Gilead’s weakening regime and the characters’ beliefs and identities.

Price

$21.25Save 15%

Reference price: ~~$25.00~~

Price checked: Nov 13, 2026

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Often bought together

The Handmaid's Tale

$22.00

The Year of the Flood

$24.00

Pros and cons

Pros

Three distinct narrators offer different perspectives on the world of The Handmaid’s Tale.
The listing presents the novel as a continuation that opens up the inner workings of Gilead.

Technical specifications

8 specifications

Publication details
Publisher	McClelland & Stewart
Publication date	Sept. 1 2020
Language	English
Print length	448 pages
ISBN-10	0771009453
ISBN-13	978-0771009457

Dimensions and installation
Weight listed	323 g
Dimensions	13.21 x 2.34 x 20.27 cm

What to know before buying

The publisher description identifies this as a sequel and refers to events from The Handmaid’s Tale, so readers unfamiliar with that book may prefer to start there.

Who is it for?

A good fit for

Readers who have read The Handmaid’s Tale and want its story continued.
Readers interested in dystopian fiction told through multiple characters’ accounts.

Less suited to

Readers looking for a standalone novel that does not depend on an earlier story.

Customer reviews on Amazon

4.6 / 5 · 55,391 ratings

5 stars74%74%
4 stars19%19%
3 stars5%5%
2 stars1%1%
1 star1%1%

Customer feedback describes the book as engaging and engrossing, with readers appreciating Atwood’s writing and seeing it as a strong follow-up that offers another view of The Handmaid’s Tale’s world. That reported response may matter most to readers seeking a character-led continuation, while the book’s sequel status means its appeal is tied to interest in the earlier novel. Aggregate ratings are broadly favourable, but they do not establish a reason for every reader’s opinion.

Positive themes

Readers describe it as engaging and hard to put down.
The customer summary praises the writing and considers it a satisfying follow-up to The Handmaid’s Tale.
Feedback highlights the story’s additional perspective on the world of the earlier novel.

Frequently asked questions

Is The Testaments a standalone book?

The listing describes it as a sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale and places it more than fifteen years after that novel’s events. Reading the earlier book first may provide context.

What is the novel about?

Three women’s testimonies converge as the regime of Gilead shows signs of weakening. The publisher description says the story explores their identities and beliefs.

How long is this edition?

The listing gives a print length of 448 pages.