The Help in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

Oct 05, 2010 Patricia rated it did not like it

Shelves: historicalfiction

I was amused. I enjoyed it while reading it, but then I felt like a bad person afterward for enjoying it, esp. as it makes light of what happened (happens) to some people w/ my complexion.

Keeping in mind, of course, that it is FICTION (fantasy?). Then again, history is what we make of it, right? Sometimes imagining a better history is what can make us okay with ourselves (I use "our"selves broadly). Is it morally right to do this? Nah. But, it's a book. It felt good to imagine that there was a c ...more

2 likes · Like · see review

Jul 04, 2011 Jenni rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-finished-in-2011

I really enjoyed this book. It does actually live up to the hype it is being given. I loved Skeeter, Abileen, and Minny. And of course I wanted to throttle Miss Hilly Hollbrook. I've known people like her who are out to ruin anyone who doesn't agree with them, and I laughed so hard when she got what was coming to her. I did find the ending to be very anticlimactic, though. It was a nice ending, but I think it really lacked some of the power of the rest of the book. Like the author wasn't sure ho ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 09, 2012 Astrid Lim rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-fiction, literature, america, dramatic, race

One of the best books I've read this year. Moving and so real. It feels like I've known Aibeleen, Minny and Skeeter all my life. Love it so much! Now I guess I'm gonna watch the movie. Hope it's not disappointing! ...more

1 like · Like · see review

May 30, 2010 Jaspreet rated it really liked it

When my book club selected The Help by Kathryn Stockett, I was excited because I wanted to read the book and thought it would be out in paperback in time for our discussion. Turns out that since it is doing so well, the paperback publication date got pushed back. I put myself on the list at the library, but knew I was in trouble because the wait list for the book was over 300 people. Fortunately, I was able to find the book for a reasonable price and got swept up in the story so quickly that I d When my book club selected The Help by Kathryn Stockett, I was excited because I wanted to read the book and thought it would be out in paperback in time for our discussion. Turns out that since it is doing so well, the paperback publication date got pushed back. I put myself on the list at the library, but knew I was in trouble because the wait list for the book was over 300 people. Fortunately, I was able to find the book for a reasonable price and got swept up in the story so quickly that I did not feel too bothered with having to purchase a hard back.

I started reading the book a week before our meeting because I wanted to say that I had begun, but I knew I would not be able to finish since I was in the midst of bar exam prep. I got so engrossed in the lives of the characters that I had to hide the book because it was interfering with my studying. When I was finally finished with the bar exam, I needed to spend time packing and preparing to move to DC for my new job. As a result, I could not spend a lot of quality time with the book. I finally finished the book during my first week in DC and even though I was sorry it had taken me so long to finish, I was glad for the chance to stretch out and savor the story.

My favorite part of the book was the secret friendship that formed between Skeeter and Aibileen. I especially loved how they came to decide to write the book and the process of discovering the best way in which to tell the story. I also enjoyed getting to know Minny. Underneath your tough exterior and rough edges, I loved the tenderness with which she interacted with Aibileen. One of my favorite scenes in the book is when Minny realizes the secret that her boss is keeping. I also loved the scene when Minny encourages Skeeter to make a life change. In addition to being in my favorite scenes in the book, Minny was my favorite character. I loved how she seemed to get stronger and more powerful as she told her story.

In the copy of the book, there was an afterward written by the author about the inspiration and experience of writing the book. Even though it was not part of the story, I enjoyed that section as well. It gave context to how the story came about and made me feel more appreciative of her journey into speaking in the voice of women whose life experience is so different from her own. ...more

Like · see review

Sep 23, 2010 Jen rated it liked it

Shelves: popular-fiction

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I couldn't put this book down,and I read it really quickly. While generally I liked the story and think it is an important topic to explore, I did have some issues. I could gush about how it's engaging but I think these are more important to address. First of all, I do not understand the point of Stuart in this story at all. I feel like his existence in the story turned out to be a distraction and really wasn't necessary. If it was supposed to illuminate Skeeter's sacrifices, they were already c I couldn't put this book down,and I read it really quickly. While generally I liked the story and think it is an important topic to explore, I did have some issues. I could gush about how it's engaging but I think these are more important to address. First of all, I do not understand the point of Stuart in this story at all. I feel like his existence in the story turned out to be a distraction and really wasn't necessary. If it was supposed to illuminate Skeeter's sacrifices, they were already clear without that added element. If it was supposed to be a sign of her growth, I don't think it really accomplished that either since her growth really had nothing to do with him.

I also think in the end, the white woman is still the one with the power. The story is told from the point of view of the three main characters. Let's look at each of their situations by the end. Aibileen has just been fired and has no prospect of working as a maid ever again. While she has the writing job, she admits it is not enough to support herself and maybe she can make more money writing other things, but who knows. Minny has to run from her abusive husband because he finds out about the book and while her job is safe, she has to basically go into hiding. Meanwhile, Skeeter, who has lost her friends and boyfriend, has been offered her dream job and moves to New York for a fresh start. There is just something about that that doesn't sit right with me. Of course Skeeter cares that she's leaving them when they're going through a hard time but the outcomes of these three women still seem to put whitey on top. Now it would be silly to imagine a happy ending for the African American help in 1960s Mississippi, but I think some more acknowledgement of that fact was necessary. I'm not sure the sacrifices they made was given the significance it deserved. In essence, I feel like this book approaches issues, tip toes around them a little, but doesn't really face them head on.

***Update: The more I think about this book, the less I like it. I think in the end, Skeeter completely used the black women in her life for her own gain. She was using Aibileen from the beginning and while she recognizes it, she doesn't stop until it's no longer of use to her. ...more

Like · see review

Aug 29, 2011 Jill rated it really liked it

I jumped on the bandwagon, and loved every minute of it! This was a fantastic book. I didn't give it 5 stars only because I usually give those to books I will read again. Can't wait to see the movie. I found the dynamics between the women so interesting. It seems like there is always a division between the haves and have nots...in here it was mainly dealing with race, but there were also underlying class issues. So many unwritten rules....no wonder the women didn't have time to work! ...more

Like · see review

May 07, 2012 Claudia Recinos rated it really liked it

I read this book in three days. From someone who is the full-time caretaker of a 7 month old, that's saying a lot!

I cried a few times reading this book. It is sweetly moving. Sometimes it was over-sweet. Sometimes it bordered on trite, after-school-special sweet. But it never quite crossed that line. And when I finished, I was sorry it was over. ...more

Like · see review