Ali Smith & Sarah Wood: Gliff

The novel is set in a near-future New England in the Republic of Gilead, a patriarchal, totalitarian state that has overthrown the United States government. Offred, the narrator, is one of the 'Handmaids', women who are forcibly assigned to produce children for the ruling class, known as 'Commanders'. The story explores themes of powerless women, loss of female agency and individuality, and the suppression of women's reproductive rights. Offred's life is marked by her restrictive routine, her memories of her past life, and her interactions with the Commander, his wife Serena Joy, and other Handmaids, including her friend Ofglen who is part of an underground resistance movement. The novel is a scathing satire, an ominous warning, and a tour de force of narrative suspense[3][4][5].

The novel tells the story of Estha and Rahel, fraternal twins whose lives are shaped by the 'Love Laws' and the societal norms of 1960s Kerala, India. The story is intertwined with the past and present, exploring the complex family dynamics, the lingering effects of casteism, and the impact of British colonialism. The narrative is characterized by its non-sequential style, reflecting the process of memory and the resurfacing of painful memories. The book is a poignant exploration of the loss of innocence, societal injustices, and the universal human tragedy of unfulfilled dreams.

The story, narrated largely through the perspective of Mr. Gabriel John Utterson, a London lawyer, revolves around the mysterious and sinister figure of Mr. Edward Hyde and his connection to the respectable Dr. Henry Jekyll. As the narrative unfolds, it reveals Jekyll's secret: he has created a potion that allows him to transform into the evil Mr. Hyde, embodying his repressed desires and darker impulses. The novella delves into themes of dual identity, the struggle between good and evil, and the social hypocrisy of Victorian society[3][5][2].