Help, The
Stockett, KathrynTwenty-two year old Skeeter has just returned home after 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. Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her seventeenth white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. [Taken from the book blurb.]
Comments from Groups
Great read, even if you've seen the movie. Created excellent discussion. A real heart-warmer. Palmerston North 019We all loved this book and thought that each of the characters was strongly portrayed. It's hard to imagine that this happened in the 60s. Lyttelton 002`The Help` was enjoyed by every member, notably for the superb characterisation Kathryn Stockett used to portray 1960s suburban life in Mississippi, and the tensions between Negro nannies and their white employers. A superb first novel, based on the author's early life and memory. Ohope 001This was a popular book. Several who had seen the film remarked on how much better the book is. The discussion of the issues was good. Hamilton 029While acknowledging the fluency of language used, overall the balance of detailed cameos, narrative threads (so many) and magical allusion was not conducive to full comfort for the reader. It was an uneven, but colourful, patchwork of a book that did not completely `click`. Palmerston North 008`The Help` was thoroughly enjoyed by all of the group. Well written and thought provoking, the book provided an opportunity for animated discussion. It's shocking to realise that the setting is but a few short decades ago. Those who had seen the movie of the book felt that it was also well worth seeing. Hamilton 042Wonderful-a great read-beautifully written with characters that jump off the page. Sadly, in some parts of southern USA, things haven't changed too much. Auckland 055 Fantastic read, everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. It prompted good, interesting discussion about racism, and how your upbringing is so influential on your thinking about race, and racial stereotypes. Auckland 362 An engrossing depiction of the relationships between black and white women in the 1960s. Christchurch 355 Provided a good insight into social norms of the time. We had an interesting discussion around parenting, and that despite racial discrimination, families were still happy to have black women raise and look after their children. Auckland 280 Everyone thought the book a great read and a well-written one. The characters came alive in the telling and helped paint a picture of life in the deep south at that time.The bigotry shown against the 'helps', and the mistreatment of them by their employers was vividly portrayed. The relationships between the 'helps' and their charges were beautifully portrayed also. We would recommend this book. Paraparaumu 001 This book was enjoyed by all the group, and the discussion was very interesting. We wondered if our generation do anything that could be written about in a few years! Ashburton 022 Loved this book - brilliant. Much better than the movie! Queenstown 001 We all loved this book. Our discussion focused on racism in countries other than, and as well as, the USA. We thought that Kathryn Stockett wrote about racist practices in such a matter-of-fact style, that they seemed much more shocking in today's context..... Governor's Bay 001
Pages
451
451
Year
2009
2009
Reviews
11-03-2024
Excellent book to read, members couldn't put it down. It was a big book to read but members really enjoyed it. Interesting reading about what the coloured maids were expected to do. Although it was a work of fiction, the style in which the author wrote it made it easy to picture life as it was. It was very worthwhile knowing that the author had a black maid in her family history. It was a brave things to do to write a book about their experiences. The notes were very explanatory.
11-03-2024
Easy read, fun, kept your interest. Everyone enjoyed it.
08-09-2023
Everyone loved the book, a well-written easy read, which felt authentic because of the author's personal experience. We enjoyed the voices of the three women who were strong, courageous, well drawn, imperfect characters. Even though it was on the powerful issue of race discrimination it did not feel a heavy story and the tension of something unpleasant brewing was balanced by joyful uplifting parts to it. We all found it educational and thought provoking.
17-05-2023
Most of the group enjoyed it even when they had read it before. Some not sure it should have won an award.
21-02-2020
Everyone liked this one. It provoked a lot of discussion and attitudes to race in different countries. Also a lot of shock about how recently this took place.
21-02-2020
Enjoyed it! Easy to read page turner - we wanted to keep reading it.
21-02-2020
An easy and enjoyable read. We wondered how much had changed in Southern US since the integration of races became a legal requirement.
21-02-2020
We thoroughly enjoyed this book. It gave us a new perspective on the issues in the Deep South of the States.
21-02-2020
Well received - a good participatory discussion. Some felt the story flagged in the middle but hurried to its conclusion. The subject matter seemed to appeal to the 8/11 female members.
21-02-2020
Everyone just loved this book. Great characters, great story and fantastic humour. All in all, a wonderful novel. Good discussion notes and questions. Everyone has now either seen the film or will do so.
21-02-2020
Loved this book - brilliant. Much better than the movie!
21-02-2020
We enjoyed the book and the insight into life in Mississippi in the 1960s. Well-written and researched by the author regarding both races.
21-02-2020
All enjoyed it. Prompted good discussion on segregation, and racism in NZ!
21-02-2020
We all LOVED this book. It led to a very interesting discussion.
22-08-2018
Enjoyed by all. Amazing to think that this was in recent times. We are sure that parts of Jackson are still like this and that things have not changed.
22-08-2018
We all loved it. Even those who had seen the film enjoyed it. We enjoyed the fact that Skeeter's book reflected both the good and the bad stories of being a black maid in a white household. Characters were very believable.