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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
The Invisible Women’s Club by Helen Paris is an uplifting novel by Helen Paris.
At 72 years of age, Janet Pimm feels both invisible and useless, her only respite
the sense of purpose she feels while tending her beloved allotment. But when the alleged discovery of an invasive weed by the local council threatens the existence of the garden community, Janet finally insists on being seen.
Janet presents initially as quite an abrasive character, but as the story develops, so too does sympathy and understanding for the elderly woman who is burdened by regret, loss, and loneliness. Her garden, where she grows mainly medicinal and herbal plants of which she has an encyclopaedic knowledge, serves as a refuge, and it’s imminent destruction is the motivation she needs to face her past, and change her future.
To prove the connection between the threat to Seaview Allotments, an unscrupulous new councillor and a property developer Janet calls on an old friend, and finds herself making new ones, including her neighbour Bev. I adored Bev, Janet’s vocal, menopausal neighbour, from the outset. I empathised with her experience, and I admired her enthusiasm for her cause. Bev proves to be a good influence on Janet, and I really enjoyed the friendship the two formed as they shared adventure, and confidences.
As well as addressing the all too often dismissive attitudes to older women, Paris explores themes of connection, community spirit, and redemption. Though there are many poignant moments in the story, there is also plenty of humour. I particularly enjoyed Janet’s blunt assessments, and Bev’s proclamations.
With its thoughtful character portrayal and empowering messages, The Invisible Women’s Club is an engaging novel.
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Janet Pimm is used to being invisible. 70 something, with her beloved allotment for company, she simply doesn’t need anyone else.
But when the local council threaten to close the allotments, Janet will do anything she can to try to save them – even enlisting the help of her irritatingly upbeat and interfering neighbour, Bev.
As the two women set off on a journey together, Janet begins to realise that perhaps she isn’t so happy to blend into the background after all. And that maybe there’s more to Bev that she first thought. As the bulldozers roll in and they fight to save the place Janet loves most, both women find their voice again and no one can silence them now…
What an absolute joy The Invisible Women’s club is. It’s a refreshing and engaging read, with an empowering message, and a cast of really lovable, well-drawn characters.
I so enjoyed Bev’s strength, determination and optimism, and it was a delight to see prickly Janet emerge from her cocoon, and to discover the reasons why she retreated into it in the first place.
In Janet and Bev’s story we are reminded that it’s never too late to find joy and meaning in later life, and that it is high time that society’s attitude to older women changed. Too often they are seen as not worthy of notice, they don’t count, their views and opinions don’t matter.
But the invisible can, should and must be seen again, women’s voices do count, and especially when they are standing up and fighting for what they believe in.
It’s also a novel about the importance of forging friendships – across and between the generations - and building community and connections: how important these links are because no wo/man is an island, the whole is the sum of its parts, there’s safety in numbers and also great strength.
A really lovely read.
But when the local council threaten to close the allotments, Janet will do anything she can to try to save them – even enlisting the help of her irritatingly upbeat and interfering neighbour, Bev.
As the two women set off on a journey together, Janet begins to realise that perhaps she isn’t so happy to blend into the background after all. And that maybe there’s more to Bev that she first thought. As the bulldozers roll in and they fight to save the place Janet loves most, both women find their voice again and no one can silence them now…
What an absolute joy The Invisible Women’s club is. It’s a refreshing and engaging read, with an empowering message, and a cast of really lovable, well-drawn characters.
I so enjoyed Bev’s strength, determination and optimism, and it was a delight to see prickly Janet emerge from her cocoon, and to discover the reasons why she retreated into it in the first place.
In Janet and Bev’s story we are reminded that it’s never too late to find joy and meaning in later life, and that it is high time that society’s attitude to older women changed. Too often they are seen as not worthy of notice, they don’t count, their views and opinions don’t matter.
But the invisible can, should and must be seen again, women’s voices do count, and especially when they are standing up and fighting for what they believe in.
It’s also a novel about the importance of forging friendships – across and between the generations - and building community and connections: how important these links are because no wo/man is an island, the whole is the sum of its parts, there’s safety in numbers and also great strength.
A really lovely read.