Why is there a video of Margaret Atwood trying to burn 'The Handmaid’s Tale' with a flamethrower?

Answer: To protest book bans.

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Bibliophiles the world over will actually like this video about book burning. Featuring Margaret Atwood, a copy of her famous novel The Handmaid’s Tale and a flamethrower, the video was released to raise awareness of the increasing number of book bans, particularly in U.S. schools.

The video shows Atwood donning protective gear before attempting to burn a copy of The Handmaid’s Tale with a legit flamethrower to the tune of some very epic music. Fortunately, the book emerges unscathed. Printed on fire-resistant paper and bound with a flame retardant cover, this special edition of The Handmaid’s Tale is unburnable.

The book itself and the accompanying video were created to be “a powerful symbol against censorship and a reminder of the necessity of protecting vital stories,” said publisher Penguin Random House. The book is currently being auctioned off online, with the highest bid standing at $48,000 as of midday Wednesday. It will close on June 7.
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