The Help

Now that the 534 books are completed, what will I do?  Well, read more books, silly!  So I am now taking suggestions between now and when the new RAs start meeting with me in May.  But in the meantime, just finished another book.  This time, The Help by Kathryn Stockett.  This is one of those old feel good stories where good does come close to beating evil. It is the story of the black/white divide in Jackson, Mississippi, amongst the hired help (the black maids) and their bosses (the privileged, white homeowners).  Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan has just returned from college, desperately wanting to be a writer but the deep South mentality is such that women should worry about getting a husband, finding a bridge club, and hiring help who will do chores (including raising their kids).  Skeeter wants none of this and fights the system.  She was very influenced by her own mother’s hired help who raised her in her youth.  This influential experience makes her decide to write a memoir on the life of “the hired help” (ie, the maids).  The problem is no one wants to provide the real story, until she is able to convince her best friend’s help, Aibileen Clark, to be the first to join in.  All hell breaks loose when the book is published (even though Skeeter used fictitious locations and names, the community figures it out).  The relationships, the depth, and characterization of the times makes this book not only real, but a moving piece of how a group can gain voice, deal with extreme situations, and in the end somewhat rise above it.  Wait until you read about the “pie story,” a hilarious moment!  The relationship between Skeeter and Aibileen and Aibileen and the children she raises is heartwarming and very sad.  Certainly parenthood has changed since that time!  I would pick this one up.  I hear it is also a movie, but you know my take on movies…  stick with the book.  Add this one to the list!