The Help
Dec 14, 2009
Pub. Date: February 2009
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Format: Hardcover, 464pp
ISBN-13: 9780399155345
ISBN: 0399155341
Fantastic Book. That's all I need to say. Go read it.... now.
Seriously though, this is a wonderfully written story of people rising above their fears to express themselves and their lives to the rest of the world. They do this at the risk of rejection, loss of employment, ostracization from the community, and bodily harm to themselves and their families.
What story are they telling? What it's like to be a black maid to white families in the 1960's. Sounds simple right? But the fact is that being a black person with a vocal opinion in Mississippi in the 60's could get you killed. Most black women wouldn't think of raising their tone or stating an opinion.
This books starts with Skeeter, a debutante back home from college without an engagement ring on her finger. This is deeply disappointing to her mama. But Skeeter doesn't want to marry and have babies, she wants to become a writer - a journalist. So as she visits with her friends at their homes, she keeps a sharp journalistic eye open to her surroundings. What she sees is how poorly the maids appear to be treated. She is appalled when her dear friend strong arms another friend into building a separate bathroom off the garage so that the colored maid won't sit on the same toilet seat as her white employer. Skeeter decides her first story will be about the injustices she sees. Little does she know how this will bring her entire life collapsing down around her.
The story grows as Skeeter slowly, painfully brings several of the maids to trust her enough to tell their stories to her. Some are heartbreaking in their hostility and lack of human caring. Some are wonderful stories of close bonds between maids and employers. The stories range across a wide range of emotion. Skeeter promises to change all names, towns, etc. She herself doesn't want to get caught writing this book against her friends and neighbors.
But Skeeter's opinions slowly change and cannot be hidden anymore and by the time the book comes out, she discovers there is a different person inside of her than what she was raised to be.
Aibileen and Minny, the main storytellers in this book, also grow with confidence, bravery and compassion as they too change their beliefs and opinions.
This is a wonderful book, that even in today's age, might just make you think a little bit harder about the people that help your life become a little easier on a day to day basis.
The end result of the book could ruin all of them in the end. Will it?
The only false note I found with the book is that the ending was too pat for me, in regards to the book industry and how Skeeter's publishing attempts turn out. So many difficulties were overcome in this book to have this particular part of it be so simple.
_________________________________
12.30.09 - USA Today just named The Help BOOK OF THE YEAR!
Publisher: Penguin Group (USA) Incorporated
Format: Hardcover, 464pp
ISBN-13: 9780399155345
ISBN: 0399155341
Fantastic Book. That's all I need to say. Go read it.... now.
Seriously though, this is a wonderfully written story of people rising above their fears to express themselves and their lives to the rest of the world. They do this at the risk of rejection, loss of employment, ostracization from the community, and bodily harm to themselves and their families.
What story are they telling? What it's like to be a black maid to white families in the 1960's. Sounds simple right? But the fact is that being a black person with a vocal opinion in Mississippi in the 60's could get you killed. Most black women wouldn't think of raising their tone or stating an opinion.
This books starts with Skeeter, a debutante back home from college without an engagement ring on her finger. This is deeply disappointing to her mama. But Skeeter doesn't want to marry and have babies, she wants to become a writer - a journalist. So as she visits with her friends at their homes, she keeps a sharp journalistic eye open to her surroundings. What she sees is how poorly the maids appear to be treated. She is appalled when her dear friend strong arms another friend into building a separate bathroom off the garage so that the colored maid won't sit on the same toilet seat as her white employer. Skeeter decides her first story will be about the injustices she sees. Little does she know how this will bring her entire life collapsing down around her.
The story grows as Skeeter slowly, painfully brings several of the maids to trust her enough to tell their stories to her. Some are heartbreaking in their hostility and lack of human caring. Some are wonderful stories of close bonds between maids and employers. The stories range across a wide range of emotion. Skeeter promises to change all names, towns, etc. She herself doesn't want to get caught writing this book against her friends and neighbors.
But Skeeter's opinions slowly change and cannot be hidden anymore and by the time the book comes out, she discovers there is a different person inside of her than what she was raised to be.
Aibileen and Minny, the main storytellers in this book, also grow with confidence, bravery and compassion as they too change their beliefs and opinions.
This is a wonderful book, that even in today's age, might just make you think a little bit harder about the people that help your life become a little easier on a day to day basis.
The end result of the book could ruin all of them in the end. Will it?
The only false note I found with the book is that the ending was too pat for me, in regards to the book industry and how Skeeter's publishing attempts turn out. So many difficulties were overcome in this book to have this particular part of it be so simple.
_________________________________
12.30.09 - USA Today just named The Help BOOK OF THE YEAR!
