I’ve wanted to read The Help by Kathryn Stockett ever since I watched the movie. Whenever I unwittingly watch a movie before reading the book, I just have to read the book afterwards! This was the first book I thought of when I was thinking about what to read for my diverse prompt for January of my Sorry, I’m Booked Reading Challenge.
I was surprised at how relevant this book felt and I’m really glad that I chose this book to read. It was a great read that well written and full of heart and messages that will always resonate.
I won’t lie, it was hard to not imagine the movie and its depictions of the characters while reading, but like with any book, I definitely felt like I got more out of reading the book. I loved alternating between the three women: Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter. Each of their perspectives were written really well and gave unique insights into the story. Although I don’t know if it is a a great representation of what life was like or what it was like for colored maids in white households, especially in such a city like Jackson, I still found that it was thought provoking regarding race relations.
It was hard to read Abilene’s chapters sometimes since her voice is written with poor grammar, but I found it didn’t hinder my reading experience. I loved each POV equally because I easily got a sense of each of their personalities.
While I understand that the book is showing life in the south in the 1960’s and then focusing on the writing of this anonymous book by Skeeter, I felt like it dragged at some points or the author fluffed too much or something at different points. The book was over 400 pages and I don’t know if the length was really necessary.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book, although it took slightly longer than usual to hook me, but I’m glad I finally read it. I think it’s a great starting point into reading books about relevant issues in our world today (although reading nonfiction is probably the way to go).
Have you read this book? What did you think?
Reading Challenge Prompts Satisfied:
Sorry, I’m Booked: Read a book with Diversity
Sorry, I'm Booked 
Your review has reminded me that I am yet to read this book, even though I’ve seen the movie several times. I’ll be sure to keep an eye out for it this year. 🙂
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I must have read this book like 5 times…I don’t know what about it I loved so much, other than the raw an emotional feelings that came out of it. It was such a beautifully written and powerful book that simply NEEDED to be written.
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[…] It’s possible that these two are a little too similar with the subjects, but I think that there are enough differences to make them each unique, of course. One is a classic and the other was a great read. One is from one perspective and the other has three different perspectives. Check out my review of The Help here. […]
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[…] The Help by Kathryn Stockett. Either that book or Red Moon. […]
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