Seriously, I just finished this book, and then looking for answers I only come across sites that say "omg this book is SOOO RELEVANT to today" when I don't see it that way. At first I had figured that perhaps this vision of the future from the past was perhaps outdated (as the Jetsons or 1984 is today), but apparently it isn't? I dunno. What's up with this book?
Properly understood I dont believe that 1984 is dated, people think so because authorities are more apt to be controlling without cruelty (Brave New World rather than Big Brother) or because of the regime in 1984 being superficially "socialist" IngSoc being "English Socialism".
However, Orwell felt, as I do, that in a real pinch, like in the wake of a limited Nuclear War, which has already happened in the book by the time it picks up with Winston Smith, or if it were really threatened by the lower classes and intellectuals, which neednt really be a genuine threat, just felt enough regardless, it would become cruel. Basically enough of a destabilising crisis and it would happen. So basically even if a regime was Brave New World it could become 1984 with sufficient push and pull.
Orwell also went to great lengths to try and ensure that people understood it wasnt a criticism of socialism, neither was Animal Farm, but in both instances the betrayal of such by the authorities without the population properly comprehending what had happened.
I dont think that the Handmaiden's Tale is relevent, its more a work of pure fiction like The Jetsons, the idea that the US would be seized by vaguely Masonic/Religious elites who want to enslave particularly women and institute breeding programmes is patently crazy, I dont see any of the anxieties about diminished elite or white birth rates translating that way. From reading about the book and its reception the author said their aim was to write a consciously feminist version of the other dystopias, I dont think its a good book, the writing style isnt anything like the others.