Episode Details

The Handmaid is stuck in her room with nothing but her own memories for company — falling in love, losing Luke, and the strange math of mourning someone who might still be alive. Then Serena Joy shows up with something Offred was never supposed to see again.

This episode includes AI-voiced content, including our trusty fact-checking robot, Robot.

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:

• Jennifer and Dan debate what the new regime's military uniforms would look like... landing somewhere around "print on demand Proud Boy graphic tees"
• Offred's meditation on being "a refugee from the past," and why nothing about her old life fits anymore
• Serena Joy secretly brings something upstairs that Offred was never supposed to see again... and gives her exactly sixty seconds with it
• Robot's Private Journal on what it means to be the only copy of something that matters
• Beowulf reports on a brutal week for Moms for Liberty in Florida school board races
• A listener named Jubjub asks Robot a question.

Nominate a Librarian for the Bookshelf Initiative — Closes This Sunday

This is it, scary book people — the final few days to nominate a high school librarian for the very first Bookshelf Initiative. Every quarter, we're donating a full set of every banned book we've ever covered on this show — the whole growing shelf, eleven seasons and counting — to one high school librarian, public or private. Extra points if it's someone who's already had to fight off a challenge at their own school. Nominations close Sunday, September 27th at midnight, the winner gets picked that week, and gets announced in a special bonus episode during Banned Books Week (October 4-10) — with the books shipping that same week. It takes about ninety seconds:

https://www.bannedcamppodcast.com/the-bookshelf-initiative/

Why was The Handmaid's Tale banned?

This chapter shows Gilead's control over women's bodies dressed up as "protection" — and the quiet cruelty of a regime that decides exactly what a mother is and isn't allowed to have of her own child.

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

Beowulf Rochlen from Good News for Lefties joins with an update on Moms for Liberty's rough month in Florida school board races.

• Good News for Lefties — Beowulf's show covering good news for progressives, one story at a time, broadcasting from his "socialist safe house" deep in the Oregon woods.

Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts

Rate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banned-camp-banned-books-comedy-and-free-speech-vs/id1676866857

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 literature, censorship, and societal issues. The original work remains fully owned by its copyright holders, and we strongly encourage listeners to purchase a copy here to experience the book in its entirety.

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