With the majority of Australia now furiously bingeing The Handmaid’s Tale, many important questions about the story’s adaptation from page to screen are being discussed.
One of the most important points of discussion centers around the revelation of Offred’s real pre-Gilead name.
Fans of Margaret Atwood’s 1985 novel have long suspected that even though her true moniker was never actually confirmed, Offred’s real name is hinted at during a chapter discussing the Handmaids-in-training indoctrination.

Describing their arrivals at the Red Center, Atwood simply wrote that the women “exchanged names from bed to bed: Alma. Janine. Dolores. Moira. June.”
However, a careful examination of the book reveals that all of the other names show up as characters in the book, except "June". Which led us to believe that she is the handmaiden narrating the story.
Listen: Laura Brodnik, Clare Stephens and Katy Hall uncover the secrets behind The Handmaid's Tale's biggest moments on The Binge.
In the novel, Offred is more of a passive character than she appears in the TV series. In the book she is unable to outwardly fight against being used as a vessel by Commanders and Marthas to bear fruit and ensure survival.
In the show, however, she is brought to life by her fight and her determination not to forget. It is about more than survival, as the show goes on she begins to rebel.
Top Comments
Best series ever with a second season confirmed.
I loved this series & would definitely recommend it. Cannot stop thinking about it.