As Donald Trump was declared the winner of the 2024 election, Margaret Atwood’s 1985 dystopian novel 'The Handmaid’s Tale' surged from No. 209 to No. 2 on the Amazon Best Sellers list, with a remarkable sales increase of nearly 7,000%. The contrasting popularity of 'Melania,’ a memoir by Melania Trump, illustrates the current divide in the United States, with 'Melania' taking the top spot and 'The Handmaid’s Tale' closely behind.
In her memoir, Melania Trump stated, 'I believe it is important to share my perspective, the truth, especially in these times of division and uncertainty.' This comment, along with her book's popularity, highlights her desire to influence public perception during a tumultuous political climate, especially following her husband's election victory.
Following the election results, Atwood expressed her thoughts on social media, stating, 'Despair is not an option. It helps no one,' accompanied by an image of a weeping Statue of Liberty. This response reflects her concerns about the eroding rights and liberties represented in her dystopian novel, paralleling the real-life political landscape.
The significant rise in sales of 'The Handmaid’s Tale,' along with other dystopian texts like Orwell's '1984,' signifies a growing public interest in narratives that critique totalitarianism and explore themes of oppression, particularly in light of current political events surrounding reproductive rights.
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