The Help by Kathryn Stockett

The Help is the story of a reluctant "hero" nicknamed Skeeter - a young, affluent white woman growing up in Mississippi during the heart of the Civil Rights movement and the passion and commitment she had to follow her dreams in spite of all of the societal roadblocks placed genteely in her way.  The story also centers around Aibileen and Minny, two black domestics, living in her city and working in her community and the stories of the families to which they, and so many other domestics, dedicate their daily lives.  Ms. Stockett writes from the perspectives of all three of the main characters so, not only does the perspective change throughtout the book, so does the writing style.

This story has moments that are both heartwarming and heartbreaking; humorous and horrible.  It is an emotional rollercoaster through two and a half tumultuous years of "proper" southern living.  I found it to be a wonderful story with lots of emotion without ever feeling sappy or corny.  I could picture the houses, the farms, the women, their husbands, the children.  There were times when I needed to put the book down because I was afraid of what was going to happen.  There were times when I felt the tears well up because of what did.

 

Although historical fiction doesn't usually interest me, I would highly recommend The Help.  I loved this story.  Once I started it, I found that I couldn't put this book down.  I just had to know what was going to happen next!

If you liked The Secret Life of Bees, by Sue Monk Kidd, you will love The Help by Kathryn Stockett!