Fiction Book Group reads High Wages by Dorothy Whipple

About this event

Our book group is open to all. Attend every meeting, occasionally or just once in your life. All we ask is that you read the book in advance and take part in the discussion. There’s a short introduction by a member of staff, a group regular, or someone we know with a special interest in the book in question. This is a casual group discussion, there is no author or presentation.

For July, we’ll be discussing Dorothy Whipple’s book High Wages.

‘“Wanted: a young lady to assist in the shop. Apply within.” Jane’s heart beat faster. She straightened up. “Well…” she breathed. She bent down and read again. “Well…. I never…”’

When eighteen-year-old Jane gets a job in a draper’s shop in a small town in Lancashire in 1912, so begins a great adventure.

As Jane Brocket writes in the Preface: ‘In a delightful book full of details of clothes and furnishings, bust-bodices and gloves, Dorothy Whipple creates a powerful argument for the need for women to work.’

High Wages, first published in 1930 and Dorothy Whipple’s second novel, is a lively portrayal of working-class life in the shadow of World War One, as well as a fascinating glimpse into the history of fashion.

Refreshments provided

Our book groups – Fiction and our Irish book club(monthly), Pagan (bi-monthly), Non-Fiction (quarterly)