The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Release date: 2009 / 444 pages
Synopsis: Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home from graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a 
degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone...
First line: “Mae Mobley was born on a early Sunday morning in August, 1960.”
Review: I so loved this novel and so needed to read it at this very moment in my life. I’m only sorry that the cover kept me away for as long as it did! Just as Guernsey taught me a valuable lesson about not judging a book by its title, so has The Help taught me a lesson I should have learned a very long time ago.
This first came to my attention thanks to my Ligit search box. Each week I get a report that includes searches visitors made that did not have any results. The Help came up time and time again until I finally got at the very end of a long line at the library.
And well worth the wait it was! But even when it arrived, and I looked at that cover, and saw it was 444 pages, and that a white author was going to attempt to be the voice for a group of African American housekeepers from the 1960′s I thought… this just can’t be good. The Help is not only “good,” it is important and painful and simply a darn good read.
I knew I was in good hands when Stockett switched perspectives after two chapters and I thought, “NO! Don’t make me leave Aibileen,” and then thought the very same thing about leaving Minny two chapters after that… Each of the three characters who narrate the story are so vibrant and well-developed — as are the supporting characters as well. Stockett has a true gift for characterization, but the narration is suspenseful and compelling as well. I so loved this novel that I had to write discussion questions, even though I realize I am coming late to this book club party. I just couldn’t help myself, I loved the characters that much.
So, why did I need to read about Mississippi circa 1962? Well, I needed to be reminded of Churchill’s words: “You can always count on Americans to do the right thing – after they’ve tried everything else.” I love this quote in its hopefulness… I’ve been a bit discouraged lately at the tendency in our country to yell first and think later… At times, our country feels like an 8th grade classroom in May — loud, ornery, and impulsive… and I needed to be reminded of just how far we have come in our moral trajectory. I needed to remember that we have been in much darker, much scarier times and eventually found our way back to a lighter realm of logic, reason, and compassion…
So, I am very grateful that Stockett had the courage (and ability) to tackle a complex subject so deftly and recommend The Help to everyone — seriously.
By the way — in case your book club is interested in buying discussion questions…
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Discussion Questions
I’m so glad you enjoyed this book. This is one of my favorite reads of the year. My parents both grew up in the Mississippi Delta in the 1950s and 1960s, and my dad says Stockett was spot on in her characterization of all the women in the novel. My whole family is a huge fan of the book. And, I’ll be seeing her speak this weekend in Nashville at the Southern Books Festival!
I loved this book so much. My book club will tackle it next year. I think it is an important book that everyone should read, certainly everyone who lives in the south. Hard to believe that it is her first book.
I liked your quote from Churchill.
Thank you for your comment!! I read the author interview at the end of the novel and love to hear that your dad verified her accuracy! This seemed very important to Stockett — and the characters’ voices seemed so authentic… I really appreciate your comment, thank you!!
Oh good! I hope my book club will be interested in reading it, too… I love to find a “historical” novel that addresses tough issues, yet is simply a darn good read, too! Thanks for stopping by today!
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I am really enjoying this book (nearly finished)! All three of my book groups are discussing this selection for our February 2010 meetings so I am carefully checking out reviews and readers’ input. Stockett has done a wonderful job of getting into the heads of the African American maids in a tumultuous time in Civil Rights history in the hotbed area of southern Mississippi, presenting their stories thoughtfully and sensitively. Their words feel so authentic and compassionate.
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My book club just finished this book. Every single person loved it, which is rare for my group! We all found the characters to be so colorful. Each chapter leaves you wanting to know more about what is going to happen to each person. It is hard to believe that it wasn’t that long ago that this story took place. Created such a wonderful discussion for us. Highly recommend it!
I’m so glad to hear that, Kristy!! The Help is such a gem, isn’t it?! I think Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand might be the next “Help” by the way…