Dua Lipa's Service95 Book Club: Exploring Margaret Atwood's 'The Handmaid's Tale' and 'Book of Lives
Pop sensation Dua Lipa, known for her hit songs like “Levitating” and “One Kiss,” has a passion for reading and runs the Service95 book club. The club features monthly book picks, author interviews, playlists, and discussion questions. Dua Lipa recently revealed her November book club selection, Margaret Atwood’s “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a dystopian novel that explores a world where women’s rights are stripped away in a totalitarian theocracy. The singer recommends reading Atwood’s memoir, “Book of Lives,” alongside the novel for added context and insight into the story's origins.
Dua Lipa’s announcement of “The Handmaid’s Tale” as her November book club pick garnered over 55,000 reactions from fans, showcasing the influence of her platform and the strong community that books create. The novel, published in 1985, is set in a future England under a totalitarian regime due to declining birth rates and environmental crises. The protagonist, Offred, serves as a Handmaid, tasked with bearing children for the Commander, while reflecting on her past life and the stark contrast with her current reality.
Margaret Atwood’s iconic work has been praised for its feminist themes and has been adapted into various forms, including the Hulu series starring Elizabeth Moss. The author’s forthcoming memoir, “Book of Lives,” set to be released in 2025, provides additional insight into the inspiration behind “The Handmaid’s Tale.” Dua Lipa encourages readers to explore both the novel and the memoir to delve deeper into Atwood’s thought-provoking narrative and its real-world connections.
In joining the ranks of celebrities like Reese Witherspoon and Oprah Winfrey with her book club initiative, Dua Lipa aims to spotlight diverse voices and genres in literature. By selecting “The Handmaid’s Tale” as her November pick, she continues to engage her audience in meaningful discussions and exploration of impactful storytelling. The singer’s dedication to promoting reading and fostering a sense of community through books underscores the enduring power of literature to inspire and provoke thought.