Book Review {The Help}

First let me lay some ground work. I love history, stories that keep me on the edge of my seat...eager for more, and examples of overcoming impossible odds, strength in character, human kindness, the greater good and unyielding faith. But, I would not consider myself an avid reader- I have a short attention span and only give books, articles, etc. just a few sentences to convince me to read more. As a mom of three, I do not have time to waste on a bad book. In short, there are not too many books that I have completed.

Plot Summery:
Set in Southern Mississippi in the 1960's the author takes you through the stories and struggles of African American Maids and The White Families that they work for; taking specific interest in the roles, relationships and boundaries of the Women and Children.

Driven my her own struggle to find her place in the world of journalism (and outgrow her small southern town), one of the main characters , Skeeter Phelan, notices the imbalance and disgraceful treatment of people of color and while working her way into becoming a writer and independent woman (who shared many of the same struggles for equality as colored men and women of the time) discovers that she can do something about it. The timing was tense...amidst the rising heat and violence that went along the milestone's of the era...Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, the NCAAand the like.

It was a dangerous time for anyone in the south to talk about equal treatment...especially when it involved whites and blacks meeting together and maids disclosing first hand intimate stories of how they are really treated by their white employers . Stockett weaves the story through several of the maids who somehow found the courage and trust to speak to Skeeter and share their stories. She keeps keeps the pace of the book exciting, apprehensive and downright stressful at times...I was always nervous for the characters, worried about them getting caught, getting hurt or worse.

Sharing how they are treated (the good, bad and the ugly), the maids in the book will make you laugh, cry and gasp at the best and worst of human behavior.

I can't go too much more into detail and give everything away...because I want you to read it for yourself and discover the roller coaster of emotions and imagination this book has to offer.

The thing I like most about the book is the unique way that each character tells their own story...in the first person and in their own words... One of the main characters, Aibileen, had me hooked at only the first page of starting the book...

"Taking care of white babies, that's what I do, along with all the cooking and the cleaning. I done raised seventeen kids in my lifetime. I know how to get them babies to sleep, stop crying, and go in the toilet bowl before they mamas even get out a bed in the morning..."

The Help has all of the features that I love and so much more! It was funny, sad, intriguing and horrible all at the same time. Many times I found myself disgusted at the way some people were treated all because of the color of their skin or the status quo of the day. Other times I cheered for those who stood up for others and literally put their lives in danger.

At the end, I have a greater appreciation for humility, bravery and strength in the human spirit and for standing up for what is right, even if it is not the most popular choice socially. The bigger picture goes beyond the simple differences in color but touches all of us...the one line that the author shared was her favorite I have to share because it really is something that can apply to all of us...
..."Wasn't that the point of the book?" For Women to realize, We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I thought...

I loved getting a glimpse into our history that was not even that long ago (only 40 short years). I know we have come along way...but still have a loooooong way to go. We all have something that we can share through the ties that bind us...mommies, daddies, sons, daughters, friends, photographers, athletes, entrepreneurs, the list goes on and on. Pull down your barriers and embrace those around us what makes us different is also what makes us stronger...we all have something to give to and learn from one another.

Book: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett
ISBN # 978-0-399-15534-5