One of our local secondary schools, Beaumont, launches a novel each September, which is carefully chosen to appeal to the widest possible audience. This is then read and discussed by the whole community: students, staff and parents. My book club adopts it too, and we enjoy debating the issues. This year’s book is ‘The Giver’ by Lois Lowry, a fascinating work of teen fiction, featuring a young boy in a futuristic society. Life there has been designed to avoid any form of discomfort, so their world is colourless, bland, uniform and lacking in emotion. Eventually, the protagonist comes to realise that there is an alternative, but that in choosing love and relationships, he will also have to embrace fierce pain.

People often question why God allows suffering and, although possibly not the author’s intention, this novel goes some way towards answering that.

Last Saturday, we stood in Verulamium Park with many thousands of other people, watching the fabulous display of fireworks. It was spectacular, especially with the beautiful cathedral in the background. We endured minor discomforts of cold toes and noses, but all around us faces were lit up with huge smiles. It felt good to live in the real world: of colour, light, seasons and weather, but most of all, people and celebrations.

There are many organisations in St Albans working hard to support the less fortunate. We can all do our bit to ease the hardships of life, but let’s make sure we don’t pretend they don’t exist.

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here