Title: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
# pages: 464
Date published: 2009
Rating: 4 out of 5stars
Would you recommend it? Yes!
This heart-warming novel is a story about the help—a contingent of black maids raising white children in Jackson, Mississippi during the civil rights turmoil of the 1960s. Aside from its central focus on racial tensions during this time, it is also a story of unexpected friendship and love. Told from the perspectives of Aibileen and Minnie, two maids in Jackson, along with Skeeter, a young white woman who doesn’t quite fit in, The Help will have you laughing, crying, and wishing you had Minnie’s caramel cake recipe. From the delicious southern comfort food, to the scandalous drama within the upper-class social circles, there is always some action to maintain your attention.
While the recent film adaptation of the novel was relatively well done, even people who have already seen the movie will enjoy this book. As with most novel-based films, there are several scenes worth reading that were not included in the script. There is hardly a dull moment throughout the plotline, especially when the horrible Hilly Holbrook is involved.
As someone who has not studied much about the civil rights movement, I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book where historical events and critical social issues of the era were interwoven in a way that wouldn’t bore me to tears. So, if you’re looking for a fairly light read with a feel-good ending, The Help is just the kind of book you need!
Review by Kristie Dickinson, CSOM '14
Author: Kathryn Stockett
Genre(s): Historical Fiction
# pages: 464
Date published: 2009
Rating: 4 out of 5stars
Would you recommend it? Yes!
This heart-warming novel is a story about the help—a contingent of black maids raising white children in Jackson, Mississippi during the civil rights turmoil of the 1960s. Aside from its central focus on racial tensions during this time, it is also a story of unexpected friendship and love. Told from the perspectives of Aibileen and Minnie, two maids in Jackson, along with Skeeter, a young white woman who doesn’t quite fit in, The Help will have you laughing, crying, and wishing you had Minnie’s caramel cake recipe. From the delicious southern comfort food, to the scandalous drama within the upper-class social circles, there is always some action to maintain your attention.
While the recent film adaptation of the novel was relatively well done, even people who have already seen the movie will enjoy this book. As with most novel-based films, there are several scenes worth reading that were not included in the script. There is hardly a dull moment throughout the plotline, especially when the horrible Hilly Holbrook is involved.
As someone who has not studied much about the civil rights movement, I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book where historical events and critical social issues of the era were interwoven in a way that wouldn’t bore me to tears. So, if you’re looking for a fairly light read with a feel-good ending, The Help is just the kind of book you need!
Review by Kristie Dickinson, CSOM '14
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