What genre does "The Handmaid's Tale" fit into?

"The Handmaid's Tale," written by Margaret Atwood, is best categorized as speculative fiction. This genre explores imaginative and futuristic scenarios rooted in real social, political, and ecological issues, often reflecting contemporary concerns. The narrative presents a dystopian society that is a hyperbolic reflection of certain historical attitudes toward women, reproductive rights, and totalitarian governance.

While elements of science fiction are present, especially given the technological aspects and the advanced societal structure, speculative fiction encompasses a broader range of themes and implications that resonate with our current world in a critical way. In contrast, fantasy typically involves magical or supernatural elements unrelated to real-world events, and historical fiction focuses on accurately depicting past events and characters, which does not align with the speculative and cautionary nature of Atwood's work. Speculative fiction serves as a more fitting description, as it invites readers to think critically about possible future scenarios based on the trajectories of current societal issues.