Book info

• Title The Help
• Author Kathryn Stockett
• Year 2009
• Genre Historical

Enter a vanished and unjust world: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. Where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver... There's Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son's tragic death; Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue; and white Miss Skeeter, home from College, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared. Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. No one would believe they'd be friends; fewer still would tolerate it. But as each woman finds the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another. Each is in a search of a truth. And together they have an extraordinary story to tell...

Thoughts

I seem to be going through a period of consuming media about segregation and racism, but none of them have so far hit home quite like this one. I wanted to read the book before seeing the film, and I’m glad I did. The differing perspectives add so much to the narrative, and to the conflict - between both the employer and employee, and within the help themselves.

The bravery shown, the determination to make a difference, no matter how small, those are the things that get to you. Whispering affirmations to a young child who is otherwise brow beaten, or holding on to a pamphlet from the library despite the trouble it could get you into.

Hard to read, but important, this tells a great story of a difficult time and is impressively written.

Rating: 5 / 5