Show notes
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 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.
https://bookshop.org/a/20953/9780385490818
This podcast is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to Margaret Atwood, her estate, or the publishers of The Handmaid's Tale. Any monetization of the podcast is separate from the copyrighted material discussed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was The Handmaid's Tale banned?
The Handmaid's Tale has been challenged or banned in American schools and libraries every single year since its publication in 1985. It was the most challenged book in the United States in 2023. It has been targeted for profanity, sexually explicit content, and content deemed "offensive to Christians." But the deeper reason is that Margaret Atwood showed what happens when a government uses religion, tradition, and "protecting families" as justification for stripping women of their rights, their names, and their autonomy. That's the part that actually scares book banners, because it looks a lot like Tuesday.
Is there a podcast that reads The Handmaid's Tale chapter by chapter?
That's us. Banned Camp reads a different banned book every season, one chapter at a time, neither host has read ahead, so you're discovering the story together in real time. Season 11 covers The Handmaid's Tale, and every episode includes the chapter reading, discussion, a fact-checking Robot, and a segment on why books get banned.
Do I need to start Banned Camp from the beginning?
No. Every episode opens with Robot's recap of the previous chapter, so you can jump in anywhere. Most listeners tell us they started mid-season and went back to the beginning after they were hooked.
What does "there is no such thing as a sterile man" mean in The Handmaid's Tale?
In Gilead, infertility is officially blamed only on women, sterile men don't legally exist. Banned Camp's fact-checking Robot points out this isn't fiction; historically, infertility was almost always blamed on women, and male fertility wasn't routinely tested until the 20th century.
Topics Covered:
The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood, Chapter 11, Chapter 12, Offred, Aunt Lydia, Cora, Rita, Serena Joy, Luke, Moira, reproductive control, infertility, forced medical exams, grief, memory, banned books, banned books podcast, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast