Helpful Score: 4
It's hard to put into words the scope of this book. THE HELP deals with a piece of Mississippian history that's little known and even less spoken of. What could have easily fallen into the clichéd ruts of Southern or black American history instead stands on its own due to its smooth writing and unforgettable characters.
Each of the main characters who narrate THE HELP have their own distinct voice, history, and conflicts, which helped make this book richly layered and so much more than what its synopsis implies. Aibileen, Minny, and even Miss Skeeter will be your best friends, while the side characters also hold their own in this world. Even the âevilâ characters like Miss Hilly are fully realized, with all their hypocrisy, deeply rooted prejudices, and borderline horrifying penchant for vengeance. The tension builds throughout as the stakes mount, and you'll barely want to put this down, desperate to find out if everything will be alright.
Not everyone will love this book. Beyond the great writing, story, and characters is an uncomfortable tension with the real history, and that's the trouble with this book having been written by a white Southern woman. There are those who will probably be offended by the book's content, and there will also be those who have no problem with its nervous treatment of this sensitive part of American history. But there is no denying Kathryn Stockett's talent. THE HELP is an incredible achievement of voice and characterization. You can be assured that Stockett will stay on everyone's radars for a long time to come.
Each of the main characters who narrate THE HELP have their own distinct voice, history, and conflicts, which helped make this book richly layered and so much more than what its synopsis implies. Aibileen, Minny, and even Miss Skeeter will be your best friends, while the side characters also hold their own in this world. Even the âevilâ characters like Miss Hilly are fully realized, with all their hypocrisy, deeply rooted prejudices, and borderline horrifying penchant for vengeance. The tension builds throughout as the stakes mount, and you'll barely want to put this down, desperate to find out if everything will be alright.
Not everyone will love this book. Beyond the great writing, story, and characters is an uncomfortable tension with the real history, and that's the trouble with this book having been written by a white Southern woman. There are those who will probably be offended by the book's content, and there will also be those who have no problem with its nervous treatment of this sensitive part of American history. But there is no denying Kathryn Stockett's talent. THE HELP is an incredible achievement of voice and characterization. You can be assured that Stockett will stay on everyone's radars for a long time to come.
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