Buy on Amazon: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Most of the time when I reach for a book that is earning high praise from critics and professional book reviewers I flinch a little inside and begin with not a small amount of trepidation. Why? Because most of the time the books fail to live up to the hype.
And so I put off reading The Help. I put it off for quite some time and honestly, I still would be putting it off if I hadn’t, on a whim, decided, what the hell, I might as well give it a shot.
The first page had me hooked and I’ve carried this book around with me all day long today, inhaling it like it was a huge box of chocolates and I couldn’t eat them fast enough.
I’m sure by now you know what this is a story about. 1960′s Mississippi dealing with segregation and the struggle to define a love/hate relationship between women and their “help” during that time period. The main three characters in this book nearly pop off the pages with their personalities and boy, the “villains”, those selfish, horrible women who have types that are still around today, they personify the worst of what any of us could be.
I cried and laughed and grieved my way through this novel. I was, in turn, horrified by the injustice of the acts being described and uplifted by the attitudes displayed. There are no saints here, there’s no need to be. Just pure, human emotions. Mistakes made, happy moments shared and throughout the entire book there is this gripping feeling of suspense that has you racing toward the end to learn the fates of the women you began to fall in love with at the beginning.
This is a story that will not disappoint you. If you are hesitant, like I was, take the leap. I’m glad I did.
Sounds excellent. Adding it to my list.
Really enjoyed your review. I know the feeling, a book letting you down when you had high hopes. I always leaves me wondering if I missed something…I have this one and I will hopefully get a chance to read it soon.
I heard a lot of glowing reviews on this, I thought it was all fake, but WOW, if it got a good review from you, then it must be good
Once again, Lydia, you and I are swimming in the same waters. I loved The Help, one of my Top 10 from 2009, and a book that I’ve been forcing on all my friends ever since.
Great review!
@Kirthi I’m flattered! Thanks so much – and the book is appropriate (with the exception of ..hm toeing the line incident) for teenagers and I would recommend they read it.
@Alison I love that we think alike! It’s definitely going to be one of my top books of the year. I simply could not put it down.
@Jennifer I hope you do too!
@Rachel Great to hear! Let me know what you think of it.
Hurrah! So glad you enjoyed The Help. It’s definitely one of my favorites so far this year. I was left cheering for Aibileen plus it was good to see Hilly get what she deserved from Minnie.
I loved this book as well and I am thrilled to see you enjoyed it!
I liked this one too! Was pleasantly surprised by the book. Good review.
Sounds really good – it seems strange, but to me from what you have written the title seems a little unusual. I will keep my eye out for it though
I <3 stories that move me to tears.