Book Review: The Help

     

Aibileen is a black maid in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who's 
always taken orders quietly, but lately she's unable to hold 
her bitterness back. Her friend Minny has never held her 
tongue but now must somehow keep secrets about her 
employer that leave her speechless. White socialite Skeeter 
just graduated college. She's full of ambition, but without a 
husband, she's considered a failure. Together, these 
seemingly different women join together to write a tell-all 
book about work as a black maid in the South, that could 
forever alter their destinies and the life of a small town...



Genre: Adult fiction, historical fiction

Overview: When I first started this book I knew it would be good. I mean, I love the setting and it was obviously good enough to make a movie out of it. I just didn't understand how much I would enjoy this book and learn from it. I loved every one of the characters. They were all developed very nicely and I loved how the point of view kept switching. It let you see into each of the three main characters' private lives and see their side of the story. There was so much irony in this book and I have a new found appreciation of it. 

Romance: Because this is an adult book you can expect there to be romance. Thankfully, there was less romance in this book than in most YA books. There was some kissing between Skeeter and her boyfriend. Skeeter is also suspected of being gay (she isn't!). Her boyfriend also asks her to come with him on a trip to the beach which she refuses pretty quickly. Around the middle of the book one of the characters has a miscarriage (I'll talk more about it in the violence section). A few men also make comments about how Celia looks. A naked man runs through Celia's yard and tries to kill (only kill, nothing else) Minny and Celia. He does say something a bit inappropriate. Even through all of these unnecessary romantic parts, you can always find something good. Skeeter's mom does tell her at one point not to let her boyfriend "cheapen" her. If he doesn't treat her right, get rid of him. The romance in this book is very light and couldn't even be considered as a secondary plot. It's more like the fourth plot...

Language: There definitely was some language in this book. Some of it was to be expected just because it is set during the Civil Rights movement, but a lot of it was just unnecessary. Minny and Skeeter cuss more than anyone. They don't say the worst of the worse, but there are quite a few words there to annoy you.

Violence: As to be expected during the Civil Rights movement, there are several beatings and shootings mentioned. They also discuss the assassination of Kennedy. A character has a miscarriage at her house which was, well, a bit disturbing. Minny is often abused by her husband. These scenes are barely described but we hear about how Minny has a bad cut on her face. The naked man mentioned above does hurt Minny pretty badly and does get beaten himself. 

Other: I felt like I had to mention the fact that everyone smokes all the time. Seriously. All the time. Skeeter does try to quit near the end but occasionally allows herself to smoke when she's facing a difficult situation. Characters get drunk quite often as well. 

I absolutely loved this book and I recommend it to anyone in high school!

So long!

-Hannah