THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett

Stockett, K. (2009). The help. New York: Amy Einhorn Books.

GENRE: Historical Fiction

ANNOTATION: In 1962 Jackson, Mississippi suffers from the racial divide. Three women become unlikely allies in the subtle, everyday fight for equality.

SUMMARY: In 1962 Jackson, Mississippi is divided. White middle-class women are cared for day in and day out by their poor black maids while living completely separate lives. However, something just doesn’t seem right to Eugenia “Skeeter” Phelan. While at lunch with her best friends, a casual comment becomes a pivotal turning point. Skeeter is outraged at their opinion that the help should have their own bathroom because blacks have more diseases. Against all odds, she befriends two maids (ironically they both work for her friends). Finally, she wins their trust and they begin a project to help stop this injustice and have their say. Told from the perspectives of three women, this story Together, they risk everything for a greater cause.

EVALUATION: 5 - The author draws the reader into these pages and their world. The characters are dynamic and real; they quickly become alive to the reader. Who could forget Skeeter’s conviction, Minnie’s sass, and Aibileen’s faith. While not a quick read, this book maintains interest from beginning to end and will appeal to a broad range of readers.

OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION: This is Kathryn Stockett’s first novel.