The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Every once and a while, a book garners such commercial and critical acclaim that it becomes a kind of phenomena. Since its release, I have heard nothing but praise for The Help. As is often the case, I put the book on my list of books to read, and there it has sat. With the movie adaptation of the novel receiving award recognition, I finally got my hands on a copy of the book and decided to see what all the talk was about.

The story opens with a narrative by Aiblileen, a black maid maid working for a young, white family in Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. She carries a sense of wisdom, as she raises the young daughter of the family, her seventeenth white baby. Despite the loss of her son, he couldn't get the proper care in the "colored" hospital, Aibileen finds a kind of solace through her job, her faith, and her best friend Minny. Minny is also a maid. While she is praised for her cooking skills, her sassy mouth has gotten her in trouble with previous employers, and finds her with no job and a husband who beats her regularly.

Eugenia Phealan, Skeeter, is a fresh out of college, 22 year old white woman, who has returned home, to her mother's dismay, without a husband. We learn that Skeeter has always had trouble fitting in with what society, and her mother, expect of her. Upon her return home, she is shocked to learn that the maid who raised her, Constantine, has left the family home, and no one seems to want to tell Skeeter what happened to her. Saddened by the loss of her childhood companion and eager to get a job at a big publishing company, Skeeter decides to write something important. After a chance encounter with Aibileen, Skeeter enlists her and her friends to tell their stories of being, "The Help" to white families.

I found this to be an unputdownable read, that perfectly mixed lighthearted fiction with the horrors of racism in the south during the 1960's. It is fascinating to read about three strong women who are forced to deal with problems that, unfortunately, many can still relate to today. By relaying the story of each main character through their perspective, Stockett provides beautifully imagined insight into the minds of these progressive women. In knowing the history of this time period an the violence it entailed, there was and underlying sense of suspense throughout the entire story. A kind of To Kill A Mocking Bird for modern audiences, The Help is a book that demands to be read by all.

I post all of my reviews to Amazon and always appreciate those who mark them as 'helpful'. You can see this review by clicking here. Thanks for taking the time to read and respond to my review!


For more information check out the author's website http://www.kathrynstockett.com/
and http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4667024-the-help.


(week 9, book 10)

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 1, 2012 and is filed under ,,,,,. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response.

11 Responses to “The Help by Kathryn Stockett”

  1. Nice review. Been meaning to read this myself :)

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    1. This one is definitely worth the read. I also thought the movie was a very good adaptation of this story. Thanks for reading!

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  2. Ethan, thanks for reminding me. I was in a shop many months ago buying a book and this book was recommended to me. I had totally forgotten about it until now.

    I did'nt recognise the title until I read your review.

    Thanks!

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    1. Glad I could help. I think you will really enjoy this book!

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    2. Hi Ethan,
      Enjoyed your review. Read the book last year and was reminded about how much I enjoyed it by reading your review.
      I'm going to hop over to amazon and mark your review helpful.
      Mike
      PS New giveaway "Capital Murder" I think you'd enjoy it. Check my blog.

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    3. Thanks Mike. I really enjoy all of your giveaways and reviews.

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  3. I am yet to read this book - it has been on my TBR forever too. Reading this review is getting me geared up to read it next after my current read(s)

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    1. Thanks for reading! You will really enjoy this book when you get around to it.

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  4. I liked this book as well, despite myself. It does seem to paint Southern racism with broad strokes and implies that the solution is maddeningly simple. But a good story trumps all.

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  5. Great review! After seeing the movie, I knew reading the book was a must. I actually ended up listening to the audiobook instead, which I just finished a couple weeks ago. It's such a powerful story!

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    1. I thought the movie was done very well. Thanks for reading!

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