Reviews

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

sydk8's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

vskipa20's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

5.0

klmcafee's review against another edition

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5.0

Though this book is on the serious matter of civil rights and equality, this story is the exact opposite of serious, at times. As you read this story, the reader will be able to emerge in the shoes of a white girl, Miss Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan, and two black maids, Aibileen and Minny. The Help has not only its funny and serious parts, but it also hints to romantic times too. Over all, get ready for an emotional roller coaster ride!

The Help takes place in the early 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi where African Americans are discriminated against, and limited in rights.Skeeter Phelan,who is a 22 year old single woman, graduated from Ole Miss, to return to her family's cotton plantation in Longleaf to find that her maid and nanny, Constantine has left and no one will tell her why. Even though everyone has high expectations for her to be a proper southern lady, her true dream is to become a writer. However, the only job that will hire her is with the Jackson Journal, writing a housekeeping advice column, “Miss Myrna”. Since she knows little about housekeeping, she seeks help from her friend's maid, Aibileen. After may events, Skeeter gets an idea to write about what it's like to be a maid from the point of view of twelve maids. With a little convincing, Aibileen agrees to help. The only problem? If Skeeter and an African American are caught, then it could result in punishment, danger, and or possible death.

This is a wonderful book to read, especially if you want to read about a minority group trying to overcome the majority. Not only is a great read, but it keeps you guessing what the “terrible awful”that is Minny’s secret and what happened to Constantine, to the very end when it is revealed. This novel also has you happy and jumping out of your chair one moment, then heated with rage in a matter of pages. Your feelings towards each character is up to you to decide.

If you like this book, To Kill a Mockingbird would be a great story for you to explore. Like The Help, the main character, this time a little girl by the name of Scout, has to decide whether to follow her own morals, or conform to the ways of society. Again, this book is about the inequality between African Americans and the attempts to change it. Whether the reader thinks these attempts are big or small, they affect the lives around them.

Pick up this book or books today and Happy Reading!

olloyd03's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

A very touching account of the life of black maids in the 1950s-1960s. A hopeful novel, showing that all that really matters is loving one another

sassie_cassie's review against another edition

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hopeful inspiring

4.0

twellz's review against another edition

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5.0

❤️❤️AMAZING, INSPIRING, STRENGTH❤️❤️

dtaylor63's review against another edition

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5.0

Loved this book! The writing was so elegant and descriptive, I literally felt like I was transported to Mississippi, and could tast the sweet iced tea! Great depiction of life in the south during the 1960's and the relationships and culture of the "help" and their employers.

rac26's review against another edition

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5.0

Oh ... I liked this book. V special. A slow burn.
Best bit: All of it.
Worst: No sequel.
I stopped. Cried. Picked it up. Carried on.
Often.

lucygwrites's review against another edition

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2.0

I really wanted to like this book but I just found it so boring.

katieryan723's review against another edition

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challenging hopeful inspiring medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0