Chapter 16 finally takes us inside the Ceremony — the state-sanctioned act that gets this book banned more than anything else. It's not what you'd expect. Then Chapter 17 sends Offred wandering through the dark house with butter on her face and a stolen daffodil, straight into an encounter she didn't plan and isn't sure she can trust.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:Dan tries to reverse-engineer the physical logistics of the Ceremony using a mechanic scooter and some creative problem-solvingJennifer's observation that nobody in the room wants to be there — and what that says about 2026The moment Jennifer reads "the Commander fucks" out loud and Banned Camp drops its first unbleeped F-bomb of the seasonDan and Jennifer debate whether Elon Musk would be a Commander in Gilead (Jennifer's answer is immediate and confident)Jennifer immediately distrusts Nick after the kiss — Dan thinks it's romantic, Jennifer is not having itWhy was The Handmaid's Tale banned?Chapter 16 is the scene book banners point to most — explicit sexual positioning, the word "fuck," bodily fluids. But Atwood wrote a scene where three people perform a joyless duty that nobody wants, stripped of every trace of intimacy. The book gets banned for depicting sex. It's actually depicting the absence of it.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 BingeworthyEvery week we shout out podcasts worth your time:Good News for Lefties — Beowulf Rochlén brings you the stories the doom-scrolling algorithm doesn't want you to see. This week: a California library is hosting Mexican wrestlers who body-slam each other between the bookshelves to get kids reading. It's called Lucha Libro and it's exactly as amazing as it sounds.Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple PodcastsRate, review, and follow us on Apple Podcasts to help other scary book people find us!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/banned-camp-banned-books-comedy-and-free-speech-vs/id1676866857DisclaimerBanned 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/20953/9780385490818This 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 QuestionsWhy 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 T