The Help (#22)

My challenge to catch-up on my book reviews by the end of the month continues with...

... the book I spent most of the month of August with Kathryn Stockett's The Help.  There are a handful of ways I stumble onto books and this one falls under the "why is this a bestseller when I've never heard of the author" combo'd with very high reader star ratings on various book websites.  Pretty much the curiosity factor, the kind I last felt with The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society.  These books tend not to disappoint.

This kind of has a lot in common with Guernsey besides the word-of-mouth success.  Both are debut novels, engaging characters with a historical backdrop, and quite likely primarily read by female audience (though there is no reason for it, other than machismo).

The Help takes place in 1962 Mississippi, so that probably already gives you a good jumping off point. The civil rights movements is starting to bubble under the surface, but in the Deep South it often seems like it is going to take a very long time for that change to gonna come.  The story is told from three perspectives (thus the three little birdies on the cover): an educated and progressive white Euginia (though more commonly called "Skeeter"), who is trying to pave her own way as working woman in a world where a woman's place is still in the home or a member of the Junior League and two of African American maids (or "the help"): Aibileen, who has spent most of her life white children and keeping her nose to the ground and not causing any trouble, and Minny, a younger generation of "help" who doesn't quite so easily follow the rules.

I can't imagine anyone not falling in love with these three women as you laugh and cry your way through this book and also cringe that this was a way of life in our country's not so distant past.  It is a very engaging and entertaining story that keeps you flipping for one more page (or chapter!) more. 

I always try to give you the "but" in these reviews and the "but" here is that this book is really filled with all the expected stereotypical characters you could imagine in a story taking place at this time and location.  There is the evil white/racist president of Junior League, the alcoholic and abusive African American husband, and all three women we've kind of seen before: the brave white woman bucking peer pressure and Aibileen and Minny kind of remind me of Color Purple's Celie and Sophia - one quiet and reserved and not looking to cause trouble (at least initially) and one taking no guff.  And like Color Purple which is entirely different subject matter, this also has the feel of a Fried Green Tomatoes or Steel Magnolias... so much so, that I fully expect this to be turned into a film that would be serious Oscar bait.

While I know those comparison might have just turned some of you off, again I can't imagine many folks not enjoying this one. 

Comments

[Joanna]

Ed,

I listened to The Help on audio and absolutely loved it. This book was getting a lot of buzz at the bookstore and I would read the flap and think - eh - not my kind of story - but I eventually downloaded it from Audible and LOVED it. I would listen on the way home, get out, put my iPod in my pocket, walk the dogs, leave the headphones in and make dinner and then sit in my living room in semi darkness listening. There were three readers and they did a great job of Minny, Abilene and Skeeter. Awesome.

I think what really got me is that this was going on in my country in my lifetime and I was oblivious - I just couldn't believe it. But I was only 7 at the time and I did live in Ohio - but still. It really did affect me.

I'm glad you liked ot too - your blog has way more influence than mine so I am glad it is getting such good PR.

I recommend this book - a lot - to anyone who will listen!

Joanna

P.S. Guernsey is my book club selection of the month. I tried reading it - couldn't get into it. Managed to download from my library (new audible media from the public library rocks - no more $$$)and am about 1/2 through - it's growing on me.