Margaret Atwood Tries to Burn Her Hit Novel The Handmaid’s Tale

Just this year, authorities in certain U.S. states and districts have banned hundreds of books, with some even being burned. To express their views on this senseless and dangerous practice, publisher Penguin Random House partnered with author Margaret Atwood, who attempted to burn her work, one of the most famous dystopian novels in history – The Handmaid’s Tale – using a flamethrower in a video campaign. I write 'attempted' because Penguin created a fire-resistant edition. In collaboration with the agency Rethink and The Gas Company Inc., they produced a copy made of 'cinefoil', a special aluminum foil that remains unscathed by fire.

Symbol of Oppression

'Unburnable' copy of the novel that speaks about the dangers of oppression and totalitarianism is a symbol of yet another, new fight against censorship, Penguin stated. Although The Handmaid’s Tale, as far as the author knows, has never been burned, it has been banned. Back in 2006, a Texas high school attempted to ban it due to 'sexually explicit content and content that is offensive to Christians', but students protested and the censorship failed.

However, it did succeed last year when some schools in Texas and Kansas withdrew it. The novel, which has sold millions of copies and served as the basis for the hit series of the same name, inspires women around the world to fight against the repeal of rights. Marches featuring activists dressed in the recognizable uniforms from the novel continue to be held today, in every corner of the planet. 'Unburnable' copy of The Handmaid’s Tale will be auctioned at Sotheby's.

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