The Help

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Click on the book cover to see a review by The New York Times

The Help by Kathryn Stockett is an inspiring story that takes place in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, at the peak of prejudice and racism towards black men and women. Following the lives of maids for white families, it exposes the brutal truth of how the world once was. Times are getting tough, and the awful and horrible things the maids and their families are forced to deal with are increasing. They live in a fear of speaking and standing up for themselves, for many who do so go to jail, are beaten, or even have their tongues cut out of their mouths. But an unusual advocate emerges for the black people- the young, white writer, Skeeter Phelan. She begins collecting stories- the good and the bad- from local maids about their life from their own perspective, with the intention of publishing it as a book anonymously. But will the fear of being punished stop the maids from telling their stories, and will local racists stop Skeeter from her dream of exposing the truth?

The Help is by far one of the most inspirational yet shocking books I have ever read. Skeeter's determination to make things right, and the humour that can be found in topics that are really quite serious carries this book, and creates a story free of dull moments. I found that the relationships that developed in this novel were strangely addictive and enticing, and the way the characters interacted with each other was actually quite interesting. As I was reading it, I noticed how much thought and effort was put into this book. With the book written from multiple perspectives, I realize how difficult it must have been to make it flow well and make individual plot lines interconnect.

If I could change one thing about this book, I would change how the relationship between Skeeter and Stuart ended. I wanted them to work things out so badly!

“I say ‘ That good vanilla from Mexico’ and then I go head. I tell her what else I put in that pie for her.” Minny revealing the Terrible Awful secret to Miss Celia (Pg 339)