New Cross-Wavelengths Reading Group News

The August meeting of the group discussed Kathryn Stockett’s novel The Help.

Those who attended the session had enjoyed this compelling novel which presents vividly drawn characters like Aibileen and Minny who, from page one, give voice to their experience of life in a closed community in Mississippi, where, as black maids employed during the nineteen sixties  by white families they are subject to segregation which forces them to live in poorer neighborhoods to which they return after hours of carrying out arduous menial tasks in the homes of the families who employ them.

From our own perspective it seems slightly surprising that the era in which the novel is set remains for many within living memory. It seemed evident that although the social hierarchy had become established and even workable for some of the oppressed individuals, whose loyalty was rewarded by acts of kindness from the families who appreciated their dedicated service and skills, there is also a sense that small minded or even vicious individuals are enabled to carry the inequalities and blatantly abusive aspects of the segregation to extremes. It is pleasing to see how one such character, Miss Hilly, becomes disempowered towards the end of the novel.

Although Aibileen and Minny share a similar colloquial style of phraseology to recount their day to day lives their contrasting characters and personalities are revealed in a subtle way. We sense that something of great and lasting significance will develop from their making the brave decision to candidly reveal to the world at large a published account of how they perceive the relationships between themselves and the white community.  

This has been a popular reading group choice, read the Blackheath, Forest Hill, Lewisham and Manor House reading groups’ reviews of The Help and that of Helen Hilton, one our bloggers.

September’s session will discuss David Nicholls’ novel One Day.
Tuesday 6 August 2011, 6.30-7.30pm
Wavelengths Library

Have you read this book? Let us know your thoughts.