Show notes
The Handmaid discovers a message scratched into her cupboard floor by someone who came before her — four Latin words left for a stranger who might never find them.
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 moment Jennifer identifies the passage that becomes the episode's thesis: "Ignoring isn't the same as ignorance. You have to work at it."
Robot's fact-check on Hannah Arendt's "banality of evil" and why you don't need a monster to destroy a society — just enough people willing to stop imagining what others are feeling
Moira's first full introduction: the underwhore party, the dorm room chemistry, and how laughter becomes resistance
The Faith cushion on the window seat and what it means that Offred spends tens of minutes reading a single word
The Latin message discovery: Nolite te bastardes carborundorum — and why someone risked punishment to leave it behind
Why was The Handmaid's Tale banned?
This chapter centers on two things book banners absolutely hate: empathy and female connection. The underwhore party, the affair discussion, the laughter between women — these are acts of resistance that the system is designed to prevent. The Latin message proves that even silence and control can't stop people from reaching out to strangers. That's what scares the people banning this book.
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
Stick around after this episode for recommendations on what to listen to next:
Here's The Scoop — A new podcast from NBC News with host Yasmeen Wassuging, diving deep into the day's top stories with NBC News' trusted journalists. Sharp, thoughtful, and informative.
Good News for Lefties — Hosted by Beowulf Rochlén. Exactly what the title promises: good news for people who care about progressive causes, civil rights, and cultural moments that matter. New episodes available wherever you get your podcasts.
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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.
Topics Covered:
The Handmaid's Tale, Margaret Atwood, Chapter Nine, Chapter Ten, Offred, Moira, Aunt Lydia, the Commander, Luke, Hannah Arendt, banality of evil, empathy and resistance, banned books, book banning, censorship, literary analysis, comedy podcast