Can Any Mother Help Me?

Thesis...Mass Observation Unit....all sounds such an unlikely premise for an absorbing read, but this book is exactly that. Jenna Bailey uncovered the story of the CCC (the Cooperative Correspondence Club), a group of women coping with family life during wartime Britain in the 1940s and after, whilst searching for a suitable subject for her Masters thesis. The CCC was formed when a cry of help in the shape of a letter to `Nursery World' magazine was answered by an assortment of other lively, intelligent women eager to connect with a world outside of domestic drudgery and child rearing.

`Can Any Mother Help Me?' is part history, how women coped during that period and what was expected of them, and part biography, each of the participants have really rather interesting lives. A well presented and rivetting read - highly recommended.

before the internet (4/4 people found this helpful)

I loved this book. As a mother I know how isolating being at home can be, and this books gives a great example of how women used their ingenuity to keep in touch in the days before cheap technology. The stories are wonderful, and I felt I really got to know the women, even though they were anonymous. A great read, and can be read in little bursts if you don't have much time!

How much has changed - and how little (4/4 people found this helpful)

I was stunned at how incredibly funny/sad/brave/strong and wonderful these women were. The forerunner to internet forums(!) but how much more intelligent.

I was torn by it being a crime NOT being able to work (with an agile brain) and then seeing how life morphed into being possible.

In some respects I had to give up work when I had children (only 7 years ago) and I feel as if I'm a martian - but at least I see that I'm a martian in fine company.

An excellent and thought provoking read.

The Secret Life of the Housewife. (16/16 people found this helpful)

This is an insight into the isolation of women at home with children particularly between the wars when married women were not allowed to work outside the home and some could not even afford a radio for company. No mod cons but mindless housework left thoughtful women in need of intelligent company which they found through their correspondence club. From young mothers to widowhood and their eventual deaths this a moving selction of their writing. Incidentally my mother in law was one of the original members.

Brilliant stories (18/18 people found this helpful)

This is a wonderful book - I picked it up based on a recommendation and wasn't sure if I was going to be all that interested, but it is absolutely captivating. The stories of these women are remarkable, and the tale of their friendship, held together mainly by letters over half a century, is extraordinary. It's very well edited, too, as the letters have been carefully chosen and little background biographies are provided for all the women.

Can Any Mother Help Me?

Jenna Bailey

Reader Reviews:

Part history, part biography, totally interesting....... (1/1 people found this helpful)

before the internet (4/4 people found this helpful)

How much has changed - and how little (4/4 people found this helpful)

The Secret Life of the Housewife. (16/16 people found this helpful)

Brilliant stories (18/18 people found this helpful)

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