Book #21: The Help - Kathryn Stockett

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This is a book about Eugenia Phelan, aka Skeeter, as she returns from Ole Miss with a degree in journalism and sets out to begin her career as a writer.  

The only thing is that Skeeter is greeted by resistance each and every turn she makes.  

From a mother and friends who can't comprehend why she would want a career instead of a husband and children to employers who undervalue what she has to offer.

It isn't until Skeeter starts talking to Aibileen, a friends maid, for research on her "how-to" cleaning article in the paper that she stumbles across a brilliant idea.  

An idea that may not only get her writing something of value, but might also give value to those she's writing about!

This book takes place in the 1960s during a time when KKK activity in Mississippi was high and equal opportunity was hardly tolerated.

Skeeter, despite hesitations, convinces a group of maids to share their stories of what it's like to work for white people.

Some of the stories are funny and uplifting, while others are disheartening and sad.

The story is well written and a quick read for 522 pages.

The book is written from the viewpoints of Skeeter, Aibilen, and Minny (another maid).

The rotation of viewpoints in one of the factors that assists in this book being a fast read.  Each 'author's' perspective and voice is different and provides a breath of fresh air.

If you didn't read this book over the summer with everyone else, find time to read it soon.

After you read it make sure you see the movie 'The Help' as well!

Our book club, after finishing the book, met up to watch this movie tonight.

I loved the book.

I loved the movie.

However, as normally happens, Hollywood changes the order of events and cuts out parts of the book that it deems less important for the big screen.

This always bothers me because for a movie that is 2 hrs and 15 minutes I felt that there was plenty of time to include more of the story.

Some characters were not portrayed in the movie in the same fullness as they were in the book, where as other parts of the movie were exaggerated compared to the written version.

If you saw the movie, but haven't read the book I encourage you to read the book.

Take the time to learn more about these characters and grow to love and hate some of them with more tenacity than the movie gave you time for!

I hope you had a Blessed Saturday!

This week's verse to memorize:

"Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ's body.  We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other."~ Romans 12:4-5