The setting for this book is in the idyllic neighbourhood of Sunnylakes. It has the typical 50’s attitude where men go out to work while the women are expected to stay home to cook and clean and make the house picture perfect for when the men come home for their dinner. They cannot speak for themselves or have their own ideas. This is exactly how Joyce feels and is drugged up to her eyeballs to keep her compliant and to keep her husband happy.
Ruby is the help but when Joyce goes missing, due to Ruby being black she is immediately assumed to be the culprit and is arrested. The racist views in this book from the police, the general public and of course the people living in Sunnylakes is uncomfortable to read about and angered me.
The author says in her authors note that this book is about feminism and how the battles women like Joyce and Ruby had to fight just to get through their daily lives needed a voice. Even though things are now a lot better for women than in the past, things still need vast improvement. Women are still underpaid and under represented. This book really brings so much to light and makes you think have peoples views really changed that much? Especially the racist views and the treatment of black people from police. It is a book that would be great for discussion.
I really do encourage people to read this book. It is very thought provoking and moving. The author certainly is a talent that I look forward to reading more from
Ruby is the help but when Joyce goes missing, due to Ruby being black she is immediately assumed to be the culprit and is arrested. The racist views in this book from the police, the general public and of course the people living in Sunnylakes is uncomfortable to read about and angered me.
The author says in her authors note that this book is about feminism and how the battles women like Joyce and Ruby had to fight just to get through their daily lives needed a voice. Even though things are now a lot better for women than in the past, things still need vast improvement. Women are still underpaid and under represented. This book really brings so much to light and makes you think have peoples views really changed that much? Especially the racist views and the treatment of black people from police. It is a book that would be great for discussion.
I really do encourage people to read this book. It is very thought provoking and moving. The author certainly is a talent that I look forward to reading more from