Shelfology Book Pairing

by Margaret Atwood

An instant classic and eerily prescient cultural phenomenon, from “the patron saint of feminist dystopian fiction” (New York Times). Now an award-winning Hulu series starring Elizabeth Moss. In this multi-award-winning, bestselling novel, Margaret Atwood has created a stunning Orwellian vision of the near future. This is the story of Offred, one of the unfortunate “Handmaids” under the new social order who have only one purpose: to breed. In Gilead, where women are prohibited from holding jobs, reading, and forming friendships, Offred’ s persistent memories of life in the “time before” and her will to survive are acts of rebellion. Provocative, startling, prophetic, and with Margaret Atwood’s devastating irony, wit, and acute perceptive powers in full force, The Handmaid’s Tale is at once a mordant satire and a dire warning.

The Graphic Novel

by Julia Alvarez

The very first graphic edition of the internationally bestselling modern-day classic about three brave sisters fighting against dictatorship, illustrated by award-winning artist Krystal Quiles. Set during the waning days of Trujillo's rule in the Dominican Republic, In the Time of the Butterflies was inspired by the true story of the three Mirabal sisters, known as Las Mariposas, or the Butterflies, who were murdered on November 25, 1960, for their part in an underground plot to overthrow the government. First published in 1994, the historical novel went on to receive wide acclaim, being nominated for the 1994 National Book Critical Circle Award, adapted into a feature film in 2001 starring Salma Hayek, and selected for the National Endowment for the Arts' reading program, The Big Read. Today, In the Time of the Butterflies has sold over a million copies in all formats and is known as a modern classic. This magnificently illustrated edition of the 1994 novel reintroduces readers to the Mirabal sisters and renders these historical figures as they've never been seen before. A longtime reader of Alvarez, illustrator Krystal Quiles has honored the literary icon's portrayal of the sisters' teenage years, their resistance against Trujillo's rule, and their terror as their involvement in the revolution is revealed. This is a stunning rendition of a beloved classic, sure to captivate a new generation of readers.