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The Handmaid’s Tale Ch. 11-12: The Doctor’s Office and the Ghost in the Bathwater | Banned Books Podcast
Description
The Handmaid goes to her monthly doctor's exam, and it turns into something much more dangerous than a checkup. Then, in the bath, she disappears into a memory of the daughter she lost, and has to compose herself back into someone who can survive dinner. Dan and Jennifer read both chapters live, no spoilers, no idea what's coming.
Banned Camp is a comedy podcast where we read banned books chapter by chapter, we don't read ahead, so you're discovering the story with us.
Things To Listen For:
- The doctor's exam that starts clinical and turns into something much more dangerous, including an offer nobody should have to consider
- "This is how I know she's not really a ghost. If she were a ghost, she would be the same age always"
- The tattoo, the mystery of the butter, and why "a made thing, not something born" might be the saddest line in the book so far
Why was The Handmaid's Tale banned?
This episode covers a gynecological exam that reads less like medicine and more like coercion, plus a mother grieving a child she's told to stop hoping for. Books that describe reproductive control and state power over women's bodies this plainly tend to be the ones school boards call "inappropriate" — which is usually code for "too accurate."
If this is your first episode, you're fine starting here. Our fact-checking Robot catches you up fast, then we read the next chapter (spoilers).
Banworthy to Bingeworthy
This episode's promo swap and Beowulf's pick:
- Here's The Scoop from NBC News — A daily podcast hosted by Yasmin Vossoughian taking a deep dive into the day's top stories with NBC News journalists, described as sharp, thoughtful, and informative.
- Good News for Lefties — Beowulf Rochlén's show, for when you need actual good news for once.
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Disclaimer
Banned Camp features readings and discussions of banned books for the purpose of criticism, commentary, education, and entertainment, in accordance with fair use guidelines.
The material used from the book The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood is shared under these principles, with the intent of provoking thought and discussion about