Another great review, Lucy!! I just got this from the library and it's next up on my list. Looking forward to it!

I hope you love it. Halfway through the year 2009 and it's at the top of my favorite's list so far. I bet the audio version is awesome because a lot of the book is written in vernacular, which was really well done. But, you'll get to here Aibilene. I hope the narrator does that wonderful woman justice.

I live for reviews like this. That end with injunctions like that. I will do it!

Alright, I will!

I hesitated writing such a positive review because I know high expectations sometimes ruin an otherwise great book. And this is a great book that I'd hate anyone to be disappointed in because they were expecting something....more. It's still such a new book and I'm sure there are flaws to point out, but I know I loved it while I was reading it, I know I finished it satisfied and happy and a month later, I'm still as enchanted.

I hope it gives you the same reading pleasure it gave me.

OK, I'm putting "The White Tiger" back on the shelf and making this my next read.

can't wait to read this! Lucy, I always look forward to reading your reviews. Thanks.

I went the library route for getting this book but the list is so long I'll have to wait until December! Looks like I'm going to go the Amazon or ebay route and get to it sooner. Love this review!

Melanie, I fully support buying the book. I think it's a keeper (and a lender-outer).

Thanks for your glowing review. I bought this book in March and it's been sitting on the shelf since then. I've "fast-tracked" it to the top my my TBR stack. Book group is tomorrow night, so I crack the cover on The Help Friday morning.

I know what it's like to have a stack, Melissa. I have several library books out but just got a new book, Cutting For Stone, that I'm itching to read. Whether or not it jumps ahead in the queue is still in question.

Have fun at bookgroup!

Cutting for Stone is on the list too...I've read great things about it. I want to read his first one -- My Own Country -- as well. Sooo many books sooo little time.

I know it's been quite awhile since you posted this review, but I have just read the book myself. Thank you for your honest and refreshing insight. I kept looking for someone who brought out your comment on examining our own prejudices and the lines that still divide us, but few got to that level. I appreciated your comment, "Are we currently kindly ignorant, arrogantly holding all the answers, quietly giving the best of ourselves with what society allows or protecting our vulnerability with a tough outer shell?" We have the luxury of looking back through time, from our "enlightened" perspective now, and can easily see the injustice of it all. Yet, I wonder if our grandchildren will be reading a book about our generation one day, and will think the same things about us and the lines that separate us in our time...

Thanks, Tina. I wonder the same thing. I really do.

Wonderful and thought provoking review Lucy! I just finished this book, 4 days after starting it. I loved it.