I bought my first copy of "The Help" for my grandma for mother's day, 2010. My dad recommended it and asked me to buy it for her and write a note inside it from him, since he was in Connecticut at the time. I bought it without thinking about reading it myself, but after several friends and family members who were shocked when I told them I hadn't read it myself, I bought a copy for myself, and finished it in three days.
This is the kind of book where you fall in love with the characters. Usually when books are told from different points of view, I always have a favorite voice that I can't wait to get back to. (Think Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, or The Poisonwood Bible) But Aibileen, Minny and Miss Skeeter were all my favorites, in their own way. Their voices were unique and fresh and their characters very believable. I could feel their love developing throughout the pages in a realistic way. I felt a stronger appreciation for the sacrifices these women experienced in order to bring about a much-needed change.
That being said, I was disappointed for a few days after finishing it. I suppose after all of the hype it received I would feel different after reading it - that it would resound with me even weeks afterwards because of its profound prose and heart-stringed sentences. Then I realized that the beauty of this novel is its subtle truth. Kathryn Stockett didn't go overboard with her literature, nor did she underwhelm me. She told the truth. And after reading the truth, you don't just think about it for a couple days after finishing it - you think about it anytime there is a need for the truth in your life. It took some time for that to finally settle inside of me but now that it has, I can honestly recommend The Help to anyone who believes that the world is changed in small ways by simple people.
What did you think of The Help?
10 comments:
I love love loved this book. And I agree with you completely: it's a book about the truth. It sticks with you, but you don't necessarily realize it. I loved how completely honest she was about her own culture. I was also impressed with her ability to write in an accent (does that make sense?) when she wrote for Minny and Aibileen. Brilliant brilliant book.
This is one of my favorite books. I am so glad I got to read it as a young woman while my ideals are still being shaped so that I know in the future I always want to treat women with repsect--no matter what walk of life they are from. I agree--it speaks simple truth. and I also fell in love with the characters. Want to go see the movie with me this summer? It looks so entertaining!
I absolutely loved this book...definitely my favorite book I've read this year (even more than Water for Elephants).
xoxo,
Joelle
loved it. couldn't put it down. I want to come see it with you and Heath! :)
The Help is probably my favourite book in recent years. I don't have enough words to say how much I loved it. The last few pages will stay with me always.
I loved this book. So good. I read it last summer, and fell in love with the story. I would recommend it to anyone. I hope the movie does it justice.
You're always one step ahead of me, which I love because I get to read your brilliant reviews. I'm excited for this one.
Thanks for the review! I'm always looking for something new to read, but hate coming home from the library with books I don't know anything about! Gonna go pick this one up! =)
Kristina J.
this has been on my "to read" shelf for awhile now. now I can't wait to get started.
love love love this book.
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