The Help: Kathryn Stockett
Two million copies of this book have been sold. And from what I can tell on the interwebs, almost as many reviews have been written. So I don’t have much to add. It’s very good. If you like contemporary literary women’s fiction, you are almost guaranteed to really like this.
‘The Help’ is written from the perspective of three characters in 1960′s Jackson, Mississippi. Two are maids: Aibileen whose son has died in an accident, thoughtful, kind; and Minny: who says exactly what she thinks and struggles to find work as a result. The other is Skeeter, newly arrived home from college, wondering what happened to her own maid. She starts off blind and naive, with only the faintest hints of unease at the society she has grown up in. The three end up working together on a secret project, at enormous risk to the maids’ safety.
There is an afterword at the end of the book, where Stockett writes ‘I don’t presume to think that I know it really felt like to be a black woman in Mississippi, especially in the 1960′s….but trying to understand is vital to our humanity.’ It would be so easy to get this book hideously wrong, to make it patronising and offensive, especially since much is written in dialect. I think it is to Stockett’s great credit that ‘The Help’ is neither. It’s one of those books where you can easily imagine the place as you read: with the oppressive heat mirroring the oppressive society. There is a constant, vague threat, which sometimes is brought into focus – whether it’s whispers and rumours at the grocery store, or violent beatings being handed out. But there is also great kindness and even genuine affection, sometimes between very unlikely characters. Stockett indulges in a few too many ironic references for my liking (Why should I give up smoking? It’s not like it’s going to kill me, one character thinks) but I’ll forgive her that.
It is honestly staggering to think that this was only fifty years ago, when my parents were children. Of course, you study the facts in school, but this is one of those books which really bring issues to life in a way which non-fiction rarely achieves.
This would be great summer reading. It’s not too demanding, but not insulting to your intelligence either. It might cover weighty social issues, but more fundamentally, it’s a good story, very well told.
Except, erm, it seems like everyone else in the world read this last summer. Oops.
Posted on July 5, 2010, in Uncategorized and tagged book reviews, books, kathryn stockett, reading, reviews, the help. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
I thought this book was FABULOUS! Probably the best book I read in 2009! Great review!
Well, if it makes you feel any better, we went to visit New Guy’s parents at the weekend and last time we were there (the first time I met them), I noticed that his mother had a copy of Little Bee. We discussed and she said she was enjoying it. The following week, you had posted a review of it on your blog. When we were there on Saturday, I asked her what she thought of it (Little Bee) and mentioned that my best friend had read it and loved it. Then I asked her what she was reading now and she’s reading ‘The Help,’ so apparently you’re not the only one who is behind on her summer reading.
I do find it odd that you and my future MIL have similar tastes in books. Especially since she’s a 70 year old woman who was born in Mississippi.
That is so awesome. I want to meet her more than I want to meet him.
I have been waiting for this book to come out in paperback to read it-I guess I have no excuse now and must read it soon!-I also feel I am the last one who has not yet read this book-
I’m thinking of picking this for my book club selection this week (I get to choose once a year). I had to search your site to see what you thought first….
I have SO many books I want to choose but this seems a bit like a must read for a girls only book club… and none of us have read it yet which is strange. Not a very original or out of the box choice though, I have to admit.
Anway, I have 2 more days so you can talk me out of it if you think it’s a bad call. Would love your feedback!