The Handmaid's Tale, #2
The Testaments
by Margaret Atwood
Contents
11
Overview
A break-in at The Clothes Hound unnerves Melanie and Neil, who grow secretive and plan a move. News of a Pearl Girl’s suspicious death heightens tension. On Daisy’s sixteenth birthday, Melanie promises revelations, but a car bomb kills both Melanie and Neil. Ada intercepts Daisy at school and spirits her away, confirming Daisy is in immediate danger.
Summary
Days after an anti-Gilead rally, The Clothes Hound is burglarized: files are strewn, collectibles and a rare camera are stolen, and a small, inept fire is set. Police find no clear suspects, but Melanie and Neil grow jittery, install a new alarm, and hint at moving, while insisting “no harm done,” which only deepens Daisy’s unease.
That night, the news reports a Pearl Girl, identified as Aunt Adrianna, found dead in a condo by apparent self-strangulation, with her partner, Aunt Sally, missing. Daisy recognizes both from recent visits to the store. Neil calls it a catastrophe, confounding Daisy, who cannot understand their concern for Gilead emissaries.
On Daisy’s sixteenth birthday, Melanie acts strained but affectionate, promising cake and important truths that evening now that Daisy is “old enough.” She drives Daisy to school as usual. Daisy spends a routine day, distracted by daydreams in French class, and anticipates the promised talk.
After school, in a drizzle, Ada appears unexpectedly and urges Daisy into her car, warning she cannot return home. Ada reveals there has been a car-bomb explosion outside The Clothes Hound: it was Melanie’s car, with both Melanie and Neil inside. Daisy, stunned and shivering, processes that her parents are dead, as Ada speeds her away from the immediate threat.
Who Appears
- DaisyNarrator; senses growing danger, turns sixteen, and learns her parents are killed by a car bomb.
- MelanieDaisy’s mother; anxious after the break-in, promises revelations, then dies in the car bombing.
- NeilDaisy’s father; rattled by the theft of a rare camera, then dies in the car bombing.
- AdaFamily friend/protector; intercepts Daisy at school and removes her to safety after the bombing.
- Aunt AdriannaPearl Girl found dead by apparent suicide; had visited The Clothes Hound earlier.
- Aunt SallyMissing Pearl Girl partner of Aunt Adrianna; police seek sightings.