Book Recommendation: The Help

Unlike my last book, The Help has me so much more engaged in the book. I did not even notice how fast i was flying through this book. It may not seem like a lot but my pages read per week went from 21 to 81. Even though i probably wont finish The Help by the end of the trimester (mostly because it is 500+ pages long) but i think i will find myself finishing the book really soon.
Honestly i think any reader would enjoy this book. I like this book because it deals with real issues, even though the issues in The Help aren't really present today i think people could still learn from this book. I have not finished this book yet (obviously) but this book is so generally (not in a bad way) that anyone could read this/ enjoy this book. It is a little hard to understand and get into at first just because of the way it is written. But overall it adds to the book. It is also hard to get bored of this book even though it goes by slow. I think this is because every other chapter is written by a different character. So not only do you get the view of the help; but you also get the view of the white women and families.

Above is an ad for the movie The Help. The women in the picture are Aibileen, Minny, and Ms. Skeeter. The book follows these three ladies and each chapter is told from one of their points of views.

Favorite Quote

I have already talked about each character a little bit so far in my posts. Aibileen is the main character. She is super nice and a good worker. She also loves the children she takes care of. As i said before Aibileen's character was based off of a maid that the author had and adored. Aibileen is obviously a good person and her love for children shows through the book.

Mae Mobley is the little kid that Aibileen cares for. Recently, Aibileen has potty trained her. But not on the "white toilet". On Aibileen's toilet that was installed in the backyard by Mrs.Leefolt who Aibileen works for. This is a problem for Mrs.Leefolt, she doesn't want her daughter "to catch diseases" in a "gross" bathroom. Mrs.Leefolt gets furious with Aibileen and Mae Mobley. And while Mae is upset, Aibileen comforts her by saying on pg 111,"You a smart girl. You a good girl."
I think this quote is very important. In the time this book takes place, the maids pretty much raise the children and are their mother figure. I also think this says a lot in the relationships between all characters in the book.

( A picture from the movie The Help of Aibileen and Mae Mobley)

Water for Elephants Trailer

Water for Elephants Trailer

About The Author: Kathryn Stockett

I think that while reading a book, it is good to know about the author as well. Kathryn Stockett is the author of The Help. The Help was the first book she has ever written. The book takes place in Jackson, Mississippi; the same place where Kathrynn was born and raised.Although The Help is the only book Kathrynn has written and published, it has sold over ten millions of copies!
Stockett was inspired to write her book by an african american domestic worker that she was very close to. The maids name was Demetrie who became the character of Aibileen. As i figured out through reading, Aibileen is a very sweet person who always takes orders and loves children. The Help was also rejected 45 times until it got published. Fortunately this book has made it to a major motion picture. Overall Stockett has a connection to her book and always looked up to her servants as a child who almost played the role of her mother.

Minny

I realized that through the chapters it does not just follow Aibleen. It follows other characters. For example Minny who is described as "never held her tounge, or held onto a job for very long." on the back of the book. Already I can see what kind of character Minny is. Even after reading one chapter through her point of view and the things said about her through other characters. And for some reason Miss Celia Rae Foote wants Minny to be her maid. Even after talking on the phone with Miss Hilly who apparently spread lies about Minny stealing from the house she last worked at. So obviously there is a catch to Miss Foote's offer for a maid. And there is; Miss Foote's husband cannot know their family has hired a maid. And with Johnny (her husband) having a slight hint of racism, Minny may not live if he finds out. She has a tough choice, but in my opinion i think she will take the job and the risk.