Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - The Help

I'm still unsure what to rate this. Notably, the white saviour complex is evident and considering that the author is white. With that being said I think my rating is mostly for the writing.

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emmapaige3413's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

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sarasbooks's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This novel tells the story of women in Mississippi, in the 60s. There are several characters but it's mainly about three women, Aibileen and Minny, two black maids and Skeeter, a white woman that works for a journal. Although they seem to have nothing in common, they will start a movement that is supposed to change their town.

While I think there are better books to read about racism, I still think it depicts the reality of that time very well while criticizing those social issues. The characters & the plot development showed in a very realistic way what racism is like and what black people went & unfortunately still go through.

It's a book that makes the reader feel various emotions. It's funny and wholesome at times but also infuriating and sad.

However, I feel like it could be shorter and less repetitive. It really is too lengthy and it put me in a reading slump.

Overall it's an entertaining book that touches on important topics. And I certainly admired Aibileen's character and her love for the children she takes care of.

"Write about what disturbs you, particularly if it bothers no one else."

"That's the way prayer do. It's like electricity, it keeps things going."

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rachel_here's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

The Help takes place in the city of Jackson, Mississipi, in the year 1962. We follow the point of view of three characters: Skeeter, a white woman in her early twenties who dreams of writing and struggles to fit in; Aibileen, a black maid who has looked after the children of white women for many years; and Minnie, Aibileen's best-friend and a great cook, but whose temper often get her in troubles with her employers. The three of them feel trapped in their current life, but all is about to change when Skeeter decides to write a book about the lives of black maids in the South and seeks Aibileen's and Minnie's help for her project.

I remember fondly The Help (or "La Couleur des Sentiments" / "The Color of Feelings" in its French translation) from back when I was in middle-school, where I watched the movie, and then highschool, where I read the book. The story is entertaining and easy to read enough, and I particularly enjoyed Aibileen's point-of-view chapters. But fondness for this book and its movie adaptation alone can't make me forget its issues regarding the treatment of its subject matter (which many articles have already discussed online), so I'll have to settle for 3.25 stars. Despite being a fine book, it's still an extremely flawed portrayal of racism in the United States that banks too much on being a nostalgic, feel-good story to offer a true understanding of a still-too-pervasive issue. One must just be aware of that before picking up The Help.

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akir's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful informative medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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grayscale08's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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