<P> The Handmaid 's Tale is a 1985 dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood . Set in a near - future New England , in a totalitarian , Christian theonomy that has overthrown the United States government , the novel explores themes of women in subjugation and the various means by which they gain individualism and independence . The novel 's title echoes the component parts of Geoffrey Chaucer 's The Canterbury Tales , which is a series of connected stories ( `` The Merchant 's Tale '' , `` The Parson 's Tale '' , etc . ) . </P>
<P> The Handmaid 's Tale is a 1985 dystopian novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood . Set in a near - future New England , in a totalitarian , Christian theonomy that has overthrown the United States government , the novel explores themes of women in subjugation and the various means by which they gain individualism and independence . The novel 's title echoes the component parts of Geoffrey Chaucer 's The Canterbury Tales , which is a series of connected stories ( `` The Merchant 's Tale '' , `` The Parson 's Tale '' , etc . ) . </P>
where is handmaid 's tale supposed to take place
where is handmaid 's tale supposed to take place
New England
New England