<P> The Handmaid 's Tale is a dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood . The book was originally published in 1985 . Set in a near - future New England , in a totalitarian , Christian theonomy that has overthrown the United States government . The novel focuses on the journey of the handmaid Offred . Her name derives from the possessive form `` of Fred '' ; handmaids are forbidden to use their birth names and must echo the male , or master , for whom they serve . </P>
<P> The Handmaid 's Tale is a dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood . The book was originally published in 1985 . Set in a near - future New England , in a totalitarian , Christian theonomy that has overthrown the United States government . The novel focuses on the journey of the handmaid Offred . Her name derives from the possessive form `` of Fred '' ; handmaids are forbidden to use their birth names and must echo the male , or master , for whom they serve . </P>
where is gilead located in the handmaid 's tale
where is gilead located in the handmaid 's tale
New England
New England