The Help in Book Riot's Read Harder Challenge

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

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