Book Review: The Help

I can't believe this is her debut novel.

Seriously, it's not fair how talented some people are. I'm not saying this book didn't take a lot of work. I'm sure it did. But a best-selling, major-movie-inspiring, phenomenally written debut novel?

I'm jealous. Lurk in her bushes to see if she's actually an alien kind of jealous.

For those of you who haven't read "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett, do yourself a favor: Drop whatever you are doing and go snag yourself a copy (Please note: the author of this blog is not libel for any damaged or broken property or babies).

I think it would be hard to give this book too much praise. It's beautifully written, timelessly poignant, and as heartfelt as it gets. The civil rights era was not that long ago and the big events and major players of this important time in America history have not been forgotten. But this book isn't about the big events. In this story, Mr. Stockett explores the day to day life of average working class southerners with wonderfully well rounded, flawed, sympathetic characters. She shows us the stubbornness and hate that go into full fledged racism living along side the simple ignorance that fuels divisions between race, sex, and class. Nobody is at fault yet everyone is to blame. Ms. Stockett gives voice (using the most effective phonetic writing I've ever seen) to women both black and white, using the differences between them to highlight the similarities. This book is so packed full of tension, flows so well, and is so hard to put down, that I stayed up past 11 pm on a weeknight to finish it (that might not sound like a big deal but you can ask my wife, nothing short than the hand of god will keep me out of bed most nights).


I look forward to and dread seeing the movie. I just hope they didn't screw it up too much.