Following Donald Trump's declaration as the winner of the 2024 presidential election, sales of Margaret Atwood's 1985 dystopian novel The Handmaid's Tale increased dramatically, moving from No. 209 to No. 2 on the Amazon Best Sellers list. As of Thursday morning, sales surged by 6,866%, according to Amazon data reported by CNN.
In contrast, Melania Trump's memoir Melania, released last month, topped the Amazon Best Sellers list at No. 1 by Friday afternoon. At Barnes & Noble, Melania also held the top spot on the trending books list, while The Handmaid's Tale ranked at No. 10.
In her book's foreword, Melania Trump stated, "I believe it is important to share my perspective, the truth, especially in these times of division and uncertainty." She noted her experiences as a subject of public scrutiny.
Margaret Atwood, known for her criticism of Trump, responded to the election results on X, stating, "Despair is not an option. It helps no one," accompanied by an image of a weeping Statue of Liberty.
The 2024 election highlighted reproductive rights as a significant issue, especially after the Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Trump has indicated support for state-level decisions regarding abortion rights, while Vice President Kamala Harris has advocated for abortion rights.
Other dystopian literature also experienced increased sales post-election. George Orwell's 1984 saw a 250% rise in sales, while Ray Bradbury's Fahrenheit 451 increased by 333% as of Thursday. By Friday, 1984 was ranked No. 13 and Fahrenheit 451 was at No. 18 on Amazon.
Additionally, incoming Vice President JD Vance's book, Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis, held the No. 7 spot on Amazon's list as of Friday afternoon.