Tue Apr 27, 2010 at 16:26:17 PM EDT
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(3pm~ - promoted by RiaD)
I read The Help on our vacation, I live now with the characters in my head with frustration the book ended. I just read that it is being made into a movie and if Kathryn Stockett has mercy on her readers she will write a sequel.
The book takes place in the Jackson Mississippi in the 60's. It is written through the eyes of 3 strong, beautiful, brave, women. As a woman who was born and raised in the south until I was 12, during a time of segregation the images and hateful prejudice are branded in my brain. The railroad tracks divided the small town I lived in, the blacks lived on one side and whites on the other. The black women only crossed the railroad tracks during the light of day to work as maids, nannies and cooks for the whites. As a child I used to look across those railroad tracks with such wonder so much mystery lie on the other side. Even as a child I always wondered why we lived so divided.
More below the fold |
| Kathleen :: The Help, a book by Kathryn Stockett |
The book has what I feel are some flaws, as it is written by a white woman, it makes me wonder how different it could have been if it were written by a black woman who actually experienced being a maid to rich white folk during the time of segregation, but it appears she got right on with some small exceptions. An example
who says "Law", for "Lawd". NOBODY. Stockett doesn't get black dialect quite right, but I do think this can be forgiven because she shows that the way people speak is not an indication of intelligence but a reflection of the environment we live in. Another thing that stung for me was she left out the dialect of the whites, there is southern white speak even to this day, which along with the black dialect would have added charm. Hey let's not forget it is her first novel so all is forgiven. With this in mind dive in for a wonderful escape to another time not too long ago.
Each of the 3 women are such rich characters a book could have been written about each one of them separately not to mention another character, Miss Celia who was born (what was considered) white trash and married rich only to be shunned and isolated by the elite of Jackson. Miss Celia could have been a whole book in itself with her relationship with her maid, Minny one of the most powerful characters in the book. The bond that developed between them as time and again events cause them to save each other is one of the most interesting story lines of the book. I loved both of these women with all my heart.
There were many times I cried reading this book and on the plane coming home I knew it was close to the end and I dreaded the last page as the lives of the characters had become a part of me, how could it end????
I will leave you with this review and hope you let me know if you read, The Help so you can tell me what you think.
Publishers Weekly (starred review)
What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel set during the civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing "about what disturbs you." The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies--and mistrusts--enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 white children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. |
