The Help

Monday, September 27, 2010
I don't typically write about or review the books I read or listen to. Although I love to read, this blog really isn't about books, and I don't want to feel obligated to talk about everything I finish. In this case, though, I'm totally making an exception.

I've been listening to The Help by freshman writer Kathryn Stockett for the last week or so. From Amazon:
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 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.
I have enjoyed this book IMMENSELY. The actors they hired to narrate the points of view (Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny) were outstanding, and their ability to bring the various southern dialects to life in the recording were exemplary. I think this is one of those instances where the audio version of the book brings something extra and special to the story.


I loved this book. Love, love, love. The author obviously has an intimate knowledge and understanding of the strange relationships between southern white women and the black maids who spent their lives serving them and raising their children. The shape of the story was delicious, and the evolution of the three main characters was fulfilling and realistic. Their journeys from acceptance, to anger, to courage was inspiring, and the true revelation of what the deep south was like during the civil rights movement was disturbing. Incredibly, all the horrible things that happen to the various characters ends in a conclusion that's hopeful, and new, and amazing.

I love books that demonstrate the resiliency of the human spirit, and show us that we can be more than we thought possible. Do yourself a favor and read this book. Or better yet - listen to it. You won't be sorry.

5 comments:

mom in northern said...

I talked to your sister a couple of weeks ago and she raved about it too. Told me to put it on my wish list....

Juan Federico said...

I couldn't finish it. The parallels to what I saw as a boy in South Texas were close to heart and far too disturbing. I guess the story reaches anywhere that a minority is used in this way. I suppose that I can work up the courage to try it again, hey?

Janiece said...

Juan, you should try and finish. The end is so worth it.

Juan Federico said...

After some schooling, Mom got a decent job as a nurse. She was able to hire an "illegal" a nice young lady who mom treated the same way that the white nurses treated my mother.
The whole thing, everybody involved in this cycle, makes me feel dirty and ashamed. That's the crux of my issue, I need to get over me first.

But thank you though. :)

Janiece said...

I hear you, my friend. There were portions of that book that made me positively ashamed to be white - and I carry very little emotional baggage on the subject.