Reviews

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

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Love love love this book! Saw the movie a few years ago and it's easily one of my favorites so I got the book to compare. The movie is almost a complete, true adaption. There are a few scenes left out, some aspects changed, but this book is so good. In a day where race is unfortunately still an issue to the physical eye, this book really just reminds us that who we are as humans goes far deeper than skin color. Funny, entertaining, eye opening - all in all, a fantastic read!

Rating - S:1, L:2, V:2

mrs_jonesie's review against another edition

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5.0

I unfortunately watched the movie before reading the book. So, I had faces to the main characters of the book. I enjoyes this book immensley and liked the ending. Would recommend this book

bexterrr's review against another edition

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4.0

I wasnt 100% at first. white women writing black women can be a little uncertain, more so when it's crossing the topics in this book. The dialogues written out colloquially was a little odd at first, but there was a big difference between the voices that it settled into enjoyable narration. Minny was my favourite, she had more depth and contrast in what she said and felt.

The film does well to tie things in, but I felt Skeeter's early selfishness was toned down in the film and shouldn't have been.

One of the more important men in the story seemed, at times, written just to be lovely, perfect darlings. I mean, I loved them. But it somehow took away from any substantial characterisation as a whole. Another vested on this but had this aspect redeemed. By being a bit of an ass.

I really enjoyed it. The story pulls you in and really makes you think about he behaviour of these people and relationships between them.

It's made me a lot more interested in reading American lit outside of classics and fantasy!

abbieloveless's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5

joisaddler's review against another edition

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emotional funny reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

keelya's review against another edition

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5.0

So good I couldn’t put it down. Great characters, great plot, great writing. Such a good book.

laurynaw's review against another edition

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5.0

I used to think calling a book 'life changing' was reserved for non-fiction works only. That all changed as soon as I met Aibileen Clark, Minny Jackson, and Eugenia Phelan. Getting to know these characters over just shy of 500 pages gave me a new perspective on the complicated nature of the relationships we as women hold. How can something be loving yet abusive? Profound yet disrespected? Welcomed yet ostracized?

This story touches on the subject of 'nuance'. Especially in today's age, we lack the ability to recognize nuance in any and all situations. Nothing is ever black or white. There is always more than one side to every story. We need to begin recognizing the depth of the human experience and our emotions.