Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Reader's Guide, Beauty of Humanity Movement
Reader's Guide
1. Food means much more than just sustenance in this novel, and no food has richer provenance than pho, according to Hu’ng. What is it about Hu’ng’s pho that draws his devotees?
2. How does Maggie relate to food, and to Vietnamese culture? How is her approach to food and art different from that of the Vietnamese-raised characters like Tu’, Binh and Hu’ng?
3. “What is blood without relationship, without life shared, in any case?” thinks Hu’ng when Binh comes to his defense (p 8). Discuss the meaning of parenthood, love and family in this novel.
4. What is it that caused Hu’ng and Lan to become estranged? Was it just a misunderstanding, or was something else driving them apart?
5. Hu’ng seems to manage a constant state of equanimity, and yet he has his passions, too. How did you feel about him as a character? Has he lived his life well? How would you answer his question in the very last sentence of the novel?
6. Tu’ thinks that “it is humbling to have an Old Man Hu’ng in your life. It makes you want to be a better person.” (p 75) Has someone in your own life inspired that feeling for you?
7. Maggie compares the work of the artist Mindanao, whose work offends Tu’, with the artists in the Beauty of Humanity Movement, who were oppressed by the state (p 167). What do you think of the comparison?
8. What do you think about Maggie’s assertion that Vietnam erases its own history (p 216)? And why is Tu’ embarrassed for her?
9. Mr. Vo became an informant, claiming he gave up an artist to protect the others. “Was I the fool not to play the game?” wonders Hu’ng many years later (p 293). What do you think of his choice, and that of Mr. Vo? What would you have done?
10. Food metaphors abound in this novel. Which was your favourite, and why?
11. Discuss the place for forgiveness—whether granted or not—in the novel.
12. What did you think of Lan’s revelation at the end of the novel, about why she committed the act that made Hu’ng angry for decades? Who injured whom?
13. This novel is written in the third-person omniscient perspective. How did this influence the way the story unfolded? Explore how the story would be different, if told from the perspective of any one of the characters.
14. Is there a particular dish, like Hu’ng’s pho, that resonates in your own life? What is it, and why?
1. Food means much more than just sustenance in this novel, and no food has richer provenance than pho, according to Hu’ng. What is it about Hu’ng’s pho that draws his devotees?
2. How does Maggie relate to food, and to Vietnamese culture? How is her approach to food and art different from that of the Vietnamese-raised characters like Tu’, Binh and Hu’ng?
3. “What is blood without relationship, without life shared, in any case?” thinks Hu’ng when Binh comes to his defense (p 8). Discuss the meaning of parenthood, love and family in this novel.
4. What is it that caused Hu’ng and Lan to become estranged? Was it just a misunderstanding, or was something else driving them apart?
5. Hu’ng seems to manage a constant state of equanimity, and yet he has his passions, too. How did you feel about him as a character? Has he lived his life well? How would you answer his question in the very last sentence of the novel?
6. Tu’ thinks that “it is humbling to have an Old Man Hu’ng in your life. It makes you want to be a better person.” (p 75) Has someone in your own life inspired that feeling for you?
7. Maggie compares the work of the artist Mindanao, whose work offends Tu’, with the artists in the Beauty of Humanity Movement, who were oppressed by the state (p 167). What do you think of the comparison?
8. What do you think about Maggie’s assertion that Vietnam erases its own history (p 216)? And why is Tu’ embarrassed for her?
9. Mr. Vo became an informant, claiming he gave up an artist to protect the others. “Was I the fool not to play the game?” wonders Hu’ng many years later (p 293). What do you think of his choice, and that of Mr. Vo? What would you have done?
10. Food metaphors abound in this novel. Which was your favourite, and why?
11. Discuss the place for forgiveness—whether granted or not—in the novel.
12. What did you think of Lan’s revelation at the end of the novel, about why she committed the act that made Hu’ng angry for decades? Who injured whom?
13. This novel is written in the third-person omniscient perspective. How did this influence the way the story unfolded? Explore how the story would be different, if told from the perspective of any one of the characters.
14. Is there a particular dish, like Hu’ng’s pho, that resonates in your own life? What is it, and why?
Beauty of Humanity Movement
Getting ready for our November book. Here are some reviews:
1. Globe & Mail "The concepts may result in a bit of a formula, but it's one that works, especially in this novel because of the addition of art – both poetry and visual art – and because of the essential humanity of the characters. Their flaws are evident, but Gibb chooses to create appealing figures who, in most cases, do what they can to help their fellow human beings. Perhaps that's idealistic, but seeing such hope in the face of such adversity is uplifting."
2. The Guardian "An intensive course in Vietnamese history, Gibb's poised and thoughtful novel does not flinch from horror but is also open to the beauty of this scarred country."
3. The always interesting Quill & Quire "The novel is full of book-club friendly themes such as lost love, forgotten memories, changing values, displacement, and family"
4. And finally, the always thoughtful and entertaining Kevin (the one from Canada) "Books by Canadian authors that are set in contemporary South Asia seem to have emerged as a semi-regular feature of Canadian fiction"
1. Globe & Mail "The concepts may result in a bit of a formula, but it's one that works, especially in this novel because of the addition of art – both poetry and visual art – and because of the essential humanity of the characters. Their flaws are evident, but Gibb chooses to create appealing figures who, in most cases, do what they can to help their fellow human beings. Perhaps that's idealistic, but seeing such hope in the face of such adversity is uplifting."
2. The Guardian "An intensive course in Vietnamese history, Gibb's poised and thoughtful novel does not flinch from horror but is also open to the beauty of this scarred country."
3. The always interesting Quill & Quire "The novel is full of book-club friendly themes such as lost love, forgotten memories, changing values, displacement, and family"
4. And finally, the always thoughtful and entertaining Kevin (the one from Canada) "Books by Canadian authors that are set in contemporary South Asia seem to have emerged as a semi-regular feature of Canadian fiction"
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Help book cover controversy
There are three main versions of The Help.
1. This is the original North American cover.
If you didn't know what the novel was about, what would this cover tell you? Now that you've read the book, how do you think this cover is pertinent?
2. This is the cover of the book for the UK market:
1. This is the original North American cover.
If you didn't know what the novel was about, what would this cover tell you? Now that you've read the book, how do you think this cover is pertinent?
2. This is the cover of the book for the UK market:
Personally, I think this one makes a lot more sense; however, it was considered too controversial for the US market. Apparently readers in the UK can handle it though.
3. Movie tie-in version:
Monday, October 3, 2011
White people writing black: "White Privilege: Unpacking the Invisible Knapsack"
Just one more (until I find another one, of course!). As the introduction says,
This article is now considered a ‘classic’ by anti-racist educators. It has been used in workshops and classes throughout the United States and Canada for many years. While people of color have described for years how whites benefit from unearned privileges, this is one of the first articles written by a white person on the topics.
This article is now considered a ‘classic’ by anti-racist educators. It has been used in workshops and classes throughout the United States and Canada for many years. While people of color have described for years how whites benefit from unearned privileges, this is one of the first articles written by a white person on the topics.
Statement to fans of The Help from the Association of Black Women Historians
I think this statement should form part of our discussion on The Help.
Reading Group Questions for The Help
1. Who was your favorite character? Why?
2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On the one hand she is terribly cruel to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes that she can't control her. Yet she's a wonderful mother. Do you think that one can be a good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?
3. Like Hilly, Skeeter's mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter—and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable; and most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter's mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?
4. How much of a person's character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?
5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart's faults so that she can get married, and that it's not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?
6. Do you believe that Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?
7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?
8. From the perspective of a twenty-first century reader, the hair shellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of "beauty" changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what's the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent?
9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?
10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white? Have you heard stories of parents who put away their valuable jewelry before their nanny comes? Paradoxically, they trust the person to look after their child but not their diamond rings?
11. What did you think about Minny's pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?
2. What do you think motivated Hilly? On the one hand she is terribly cruel to Aibileen and her own help, as well as to Skeeter once she realizes that she can't control her. Yet she's a wonderful mother. Do you think that one can be a good mother but, at the same time, a deeply flawed person?
3. Like Hilly, Skeeter's mother is a prime example of someone deeply flawed yet somewhat sympathetic. She seems to care for Skeeter—and she also seems to have very real feelings for Constantine. Yet the ultimatum she gives to Constantine is untenable; and most of her interaction with Skeeter is critical. Do you think Skeeter's mother is a sympathetic or unsympathetic character? Why?
4. How much of a person's character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?
5. Did it bother you that Skeeter is willing to overlook so many of Stuart's faults so that she can get married, and that it's not until he literally gets up and walks away that the engagement falls apart?
6. Do you believe that Minny was justified in her distrust of white people?
7. Do you think that had Aibileen stayed working for Miss Elizabeth, that Mae Mobley would have grown up to be racist like her mother? Do you think racism is inherent, or taught?
8. From the perspective of a twenty-first century reader, the hair shellac system that Skeeter undergoes seems ludicrous. Yet women still alter their looks in rather peculiar ways as the definition of "beauty" changes with the times. Looking back on your past, what's the most ridiculous beauty regimen you ever underwent?
9. The author manages to paint Aibileen with a quiet grace and an aura of wisdom about her. How do you think she does this?
10. Do you think there are still vestiges of racism in relationships where people of color work for people who are white? Have you heard stories of parents who put away their valuable jewelry before their nanny comes? Paradoxically, they trust the person to look after their child but not their diamond rings?
11. What did you think about Minny's pie for Miss Hilly? Would you have gone as far as Minny did for revenge?
Two Reviews of the Movie
These reviews were written when the movie came out this past summer, but I think some of the points they raise will make excellent discussion questions when we meet on this book:
1. "New Film 'The Help' Whitewashes the Civil Rights Struggle into a Heartstring-tugging Hallmark Card . . . Thanks to The Help’s sugarcoating, the National Domestic Worker’s Alliance has been compelled to release a video discussing the truth of the country’s maids, nannies and chauffeurs. ”
2. "The Terrible, Awful Sweetness of The Help ...If Kathryn Stockett’s novel The Help was an angel food cake study of racism and segregation in the 60’s South, the new movie adaptation is even fluffier. Like a dollop of whip cream skimmed off a multi-layered cake, the film only grazes the surface of the intersecting oppressions of race, class, gender and geohistory."
1. "New Film 'The Help' Whitewashes the Civil Rights Struggle into a Heartstring-tugging Hallmark Card . . . Thanks to The Help’s sugarcoating, the National Domestic Worker’s Alliance has been compelled to release a video discussing the truth of the country’s maids, nannies and chauffeurs. ”
2. "The Terrible, Awful Sweetness of The Help ...If Kathryn Stockett’s novel The Help was an angel food cake study of racism and segregation in the 60’s South, the new movie adaptation is even fluffier. Like a dollop of whip cream skimmed off a multi-layered cake, the film only grazes the surface of the intersecting oppressions of race, class, gender and geohistory."
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