The HelpAuthor: Kathryn Stockett
Published By: Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam
Date Published: February 2009
Pages: 464
Recommended For: Adults
Reviewed By: K
Rating: 5
Borrowed Audiobook from Relative
Summary:
It is 1962 and Skeeter has just graduated from college, only to return home to rural Mississippi and find that not much has changed. She longs to write a story from the prospective of the help, but no one in the black community is eager to participate. All of them would be risking it all to put their story on paper, but it may be just what the civil rights movement needs.
After Aibileen lost her own son, she may be just softened enough to take on this trying and revealing path. Will it be enough to encourage the rest of the Help to join in her effort?
K's Thoughts:
This book was beautifully orchestrated. Ms. Stockett has a true gift for capturing this difficult period in our history in such a delicate and honest way. The three main characters were so strong and so unique. They found their own voices and spirit through the text and each magnified different levels of dedication and bravery. I loved Skeeter for her free spirit and ability to see greater purpose in what she set out to accomplish. Aibileen for her tenderness toward the child she tends to, how she selflessly serves others, and her courage to step forward when no one else will. Finally, Minny who always speaks her mind. She is the kind of honest that everyone wants in a true friend, but not everyone can handle.
This story is full of depth. I would highly recommend this title to a reading group or circle of friends. Its a great story to discuss and get insights from others. There is so much rich content, I feel like some of it can be lost when reading it alone. Certainly a book to be revisited. If you haven't read it, do. This is a book not to be missed.
As far as how it translated to the screen:
I read the book after I saw the movie. Usually I prefer the other way around so that I can fully visualize the text on my own and interject my own creativity into the mix. For this movie, it didn't seem to matter. The book was written in such a detailed way that I felt that it came to life on the screen. This is by far one of the best adaptations of a book that I have seen. Just as the author captured a moment and place in time, so did the film.
Content:
Language: Some profanity and racial slurs throughout
Adult Content: Inequality, Racism, Bullying, Child Neglect, Social Injustice, Miscarriage and Relationships discussed
Violence: Violence against black workers, Oppression, psychological abuse.
2 comments:
I completely agree with your review! I read the book with my husband before we saw the movie, and both really enjoyed both. I wasn't sure what to expect from the movie but I thought they did a good job of being faithful to the story. I especially loved Minnie. The actress that played her did an amazing job of capturing the character.
That movie looked good, but my husband wrinkled his nose at it. It'll have to be a girls night video. Now I want to read the book first.
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