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theadorek9's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
yellowfleeces's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
raeraeburr's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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
4.5
zoey98's review against another edition
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
lilylanie's review against another edition
5.0
The Help is a fascinating book about life as a black domestic servant in early 1960s Mississippi. A young, educated white woman finds she takes issue with the way these employees are treated, despite (or perhaps because of) having grown up in a household where this was the norm, and seeks to bring their stories to light by writing a book regardless of the great risk to all involved.
I knew that Mississippi was rather behind the rest of America in affording blacks right and priviledges, but I had no idea that as recently as the 1960s it was considered acceptable to treat them as diseased inferiors, and in fact totally unacceptable to treat them as people. The book opens with the issue of whether the maid should be allowed to use her employer's bathroom - because while the woman could be trusted to make their food, clean their dishes and raise their children, it was unhygenic to sit on the same toilet. Children who grow up thinking of these black women as their mothers go on to "inherit" them astheir property, no longer willing to sit at the same table with the women who once spoonfed them every meal.
My only criticism of this novel is that it seems to be building towards a climax but then sort of wanders off - none of the terrible secrets are as shocking as you're led to believe, and the horrors that you suspect are around the bend for those who dared speak out never really materialize. However, the book is full of compelling characters and stories that - while no longer shocking - deserve to be told and remembered. We may think we have come a long way, but I would hazard a guess that it wouldn't be hard to find domestic employees in Canada today who could tell similar stories of abuse and disrepect at the hands of priviledged, over-entitled families who feel superior to anyone with a tint to their skin or accent in their voice.
I wish I could give this a 4.5, but I'll have to call it a 5 since it's definitely better than a 4.
I knew that Mississippi was rather behind the rest of America in affording blacks right and priviledges, but I had no idea that as recently as the 1960s it was considered acceptable to treat them as diseased inferiors, and in fact totally unacceptable to treat them as people. The book opens with the issue of whether the maid should be allowed to use her employer's bathroom - because while the woman could be trusted to make their food, clean their dishes and raise their children, it was unhygenic to sit on the same toilet. Children who grow up thinking of these black women as their mothers go on to "inherit" them astheir property, no longer willing to sit at the same table with the women who once spoonfed them every meal.
My only criticism of this novel is that it seems to be building towards a climax but then sort of wanders off - none of the terrible secrets are as shocking as you're led to believe, and the horrors that you suspect are around the bend for those who dared speak out never really materialize. However, the book is full of compelling characters and stories that - while no longer shocking - deserve to be told and remembered. We may think we have come a long way, but I would hazard a guess that it wouldn't be hard to find domestic employees in Canada today who could tell similar stories of abuse and disrepect at the hands of priviledged, over-entitled families who feel superior to anyone with a tint to their skin or accent in their voice.
I wish I could give this a 4.5, but I'll have to call it a 5 since it's definitely better than a 4.
ripsquishy19's review against another edition
4.0
what i loved most from this was how distinct the 3 voices were. even if the chapters wouldn't have been labeled as who was speaking, i would have been able to tell. & that's why this is a fantastic read.
keilavanessa's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
simulatethis's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
White savior complex, I am so over you.
willowaus2024's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, it took a while to get into with the Southern style writing but I absolutely lived it, each of the characters were really well described and you either really liked them or really hated them! Honestly it's one of the best books I've read all year!