Turning the Tide of Ambivalence: The Impact of The Handmaid’s Tale on Margaret Atwood’s Feminist Reception in Spain

Abstract

This study examines the reception of Margaret Atwood’s work in Spain, focusing on The Handmaid’s Tale and how its feminist themes have been interpreted and represented through translation and paratexts. The research draws on academic materials, Spanish editions, press coverage, translators, and archival sources, with particular attention to how the media and paratexts have framed the work within Spanish culture. Early Spanish editions of the novel and media coverage often downplayed feminist elements in Atwood’s work, reflecting broader cultural ambivalence toward gender issues. However, the 2017 release of The Handmaid’s Tale series, framed by contemporary sociopolitical debates on women’s rights, catalyzed a renewed interest in Atwood’s feminist themes. This study argues that the TV adaptation not only enhanced Atwood’s visibility in Spain but also redefined her as a feminist icon, transforming her perceived literary identity and reinforcing the intersection between media influence and literary reception.