#229 ~ The Help (mini review)
The Help tells the story of the social situation in Jackson, Mississippi* just to the Civil Rights Movement getting started and gaining traction. If a white woman was able to afford it, she had a black maid to help her run her house. On the other hand, by hiring maids, the white women of Jackson provided income for the black families of Jackson, meager though it might be. It was this need for income that compelled the maids to continue working for white families, raising their babies, and putting up with indignities such as having to use “black bathrooms” out in the carport. Not all white women felt that treating the help like second class citizens was right. Although the idea was at first prompted by her desire to get a job in the industry, Skeeter Phelan decides to shine a light on the reality of keeping or being the help by interviewing black maids and publishing them in a book. Even as a fellow Junior Leaguer, this put Skeeter in danger, but that was nothing compared to the risks taken by the help who agree to speak with her.
This was the last audio book I listened to last year and I really enjoyed it. There were times where I was exasperated by Skeeter, where I want to point out that she’s not that much different from her friends in the Junior League. She’s using Aibileen, Minnie, and the others for her own gain. Pushing them outside of their comfort zones and subtly manipulating Aibileen with guilt. Still, Skeeter has a good heart and is not any more self-centered than any other recent college graduate. For me, I will forever keep the character of Aibileen in my heart. She is who made The Help for me.
* A special thanks to A Bookshelf Monstrosity for pointing out a major geographical error. Sometimes I think I need an assistant. LOL!
Other Voices
The Book Lady’s Blog
At Home with Books
Medieval Bookworm
Hey Lady! Watcha Readin?
Presenting Lenore
Rhapsody in Books
I’m Booking It
The Bluestocking Society
So Many Precious Books, So Little Time
Book Journey
I Smell Books
A Novel Menagerie
The Magic Lasso
Redlady’s Reading Room
Farm Lane Books
I bought this audio book with one of my credits from Audible.com.
Comments
25 Responses to “#229 ~ The Help (mini review)”
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Sandy
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 9:22 am1Reply to this comment.I so loved this book. Minnie and Aibileen were precious; I could literally hear their voices in my head as I read the text. I got frustrated with Skeeter, and wanted to smash Hilly’s face. Even though I read and reviewed the book last May, I had recommended my book club read this, and we just discussed it last night. I have yet to hear one person say they don’t like it.
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Molly
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 11:04 am2Reply to this comment.I reviewed this book last year and in fact rated it as my top read of 2009. I absolutely LOVED Aibileen and feel as though she was so fully developed that I would recognize her immediately if I ever had the opportunity to meet her.
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trish
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 12:19 pm3Reply to this comment.I agree that Skeeter wasn’t really philanthropic. I think the audio was probably great, since I met the lady who did Aibileen. I’m definitely looking forward to the next book by Kathryn Stockett, though!
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Sheri
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 2:20 pm4Reply to this comment.I agree with the thoughts on Skeeter. I totally loved reading this book.
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Kathy R (Bermudaonion)
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 2:35 pm5Reply to this comment.I’m really looking forward to reading this book. I lived in Mississippi during the time it’s set, but my family was not one that could afford “help”, and I really didn’t know anyone who could.
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Lenpre
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 2:57 pm6Reply to this comment.So true what you say about Skeeter. My favorite character was Minnie, hands down!
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Kathleen
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 3:20 pm7Reply to this comment.This books has been universally adored by the blogs that I follow (if I am not mistaken). Everytime I read another review I move it up my TBR list. There are so many books and not enough time!
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carol
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:14 pm8Reply to this comment.I’m hoping to read this within the next month or so. Everyone seems to love it.
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Beth Nolan Conners
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 5:49 pm9Reply to this comment.I loved this book. While it wasn’t my absolute, very favorite, can’t-live-without-it book for 2009, it was definitely in my top 10. Glad you liked it!
-beth -
A Bookshelf Monstrosity
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 6:16 pm10Reply to this comment.Hey, I just wanted to drop a quick note to point out that the book is set in Mississippi, not Alabama
Thanks for the review! -
Amy Reads Good Books
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 7:10 pm11Reply to this comment.Great little review! I definitely want to read this one.
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Lisa
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 7:53 pm12Reply to this comment.Now that you mention it, I do remember feeling a bit like that about Skeeter but I liked her so much overall that I kind of forgave her for pushing the ladies, I guess.
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Alyce
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 8:50 pm13Reply to this comment.You’re right, Aibileen definitely makes this book!
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Marg
Posted: Jan 15th, 2010 at 10:48 pm15Reply to this comment.I think I need to get this one! It does seem to get consistently good reviews around the place!
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Lisa
Posted: Jan 16th, 2010 at 1:02 am16Reply to this comment.I’ve been hearing a lot of good buzz about this one! Thanks for the great review.
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Rebecca Reid
Posted: Jan 16th, 2010 at 10:12 am17Reply to this comment.I’ve heard great things about this book. Sounds like one to find!
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Kay
Posted: Jan 17th, 2010 at 10:57 am18Reply to this comment.Great review! I absolutely have to read this book in 2010, I’ve heard so much about it.
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Anna
Posted: Jan 17th, 2010 at 3:19 pm19Reply to this comment.Glad to see you enjoyed it. I just won this in a giveaway, and I can’t wait to read it. It made a lot of “best of 2009″ lists!
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Bonnie
Posted: Jan 17th, 2010 at 5:38 pm20Reply to this comment.I loved this book. I adored Abileen as well. I didn’t feel that Skeeter was using the women, she put herself in many dangerous situations as well. The women seemed to drive the project even beyond Skeeter’s comfort zone. This must have been a great book to listen to. I may re-read it by listening to it one day. It’s that kind of book that I could re-read and I don’t do that often. Thanks for linking to my review!
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Melody
Posted: Jan 17th, 2010 at 11:16 pm21Reply to this comment.I’ve read nothing but good reviews about this book so it will be high up on to my to-be-read list!!
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Stephanie
Posted: Jan 18th, 2010 at 9:52 am22Reply to this comment.This book made my top books of 2009 list. I adored it and have heard many times over that the audio version is fantastic!
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Michele
Posted: Jan 25th, 2010 at 2:34 am23Reply to this comment.I really need to get off my butt and go get a copy of this!
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Jen - Devourer of Books
Posted: Jan 25th, 2010 at 4:06 pm24Reply to this comment.I agree with what you said about Skeeter, but I still loved her because of her good heart and the conviction she gained. Aibileen was definitely my favorite, though.
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Serena (Savvy Verse & Wit)
Posted: Jan 28th, 2010 at 10:57 am25Reply to this comment.I have not read this book yet. thanks for the review.
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