There aren’t many books that change my perspective on the world, but after reading The Handmaid's Tale I’m surprised to add one to the list. However, reader discretion is advised as there are some topics that are hard to process. Formerly known as the U.S.A., the new country of Gilead is going through a civil war, forcing many women into a Red Center to provide safety and promote reproduction. In this situation, a woman given the name Offred shares her views on her present and reflects on her past as the readers are guided through a seemingly dystopian journey of injustice and inequality. For me, the important part of the book was the beginning as Margaret Atwood’s introduction reveals that none of the subjects included in the book are truly dystopian as she based them on events of the past and present. This is shocking considering the plot of the book features gender discrimination in a country known to prioritize freedom and equality. I felt gutted as I read Offred’s words and felt her pain, and hope that readers who choose to pick this book truly understand and consider the dilemma between freedom and safety.