Why I wanted to read the book: The Help
I love "southern literature".
So, when a friend told me about a new southern novel she had just finished reading, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, my ears perked up.
I discovered that my friend and I had something in common concerning our "upbringing" in Alabama: we both had someone come in "to help" our mom around the house. To our mothers, that person was "the help"; to us that person was almost a member of the family. We felt comfortable around them. We could ask them anything because we trusted them. We also loved that person and believed that they loved us, too.
Yes, in 1950's Alabama, that person was most likely black. As a child, I did not see our "help" as being black. She just looked different from me. My best friend was different from me, too; she had curly blond hair and mine was plain old brown.
I remember asking "Katie" (our "help") why the palm of her hand was the same color as mine, but her skin was brown. I do not actually remember what her answer was; I just remember holding her hand in my small one and tracing the lines and feeling her skin. I did not feel bad asking her that question. I just wondered why her skin was like mine, yet different.
I wanted to read this book so I could see if others who grew up in this part of the world in that particular time shared my experiences. It was not such a bad time for me. It was a good time with good people who helped me grow up.
(photo by Kem Lee from an article in the NYTimes)
My favorite quotes from "The Help"
- "This woman talk like she from so deep in the country she got corn growing in her shoes." (One of "the help" describing a white lady)
- "Don't say ain't. You speak properly now. I didn't raise you to talk like a mule."
"Is this an easy book to read? No, but it is surely worth reading.
(from Library Journal)"
Now, a brief word about Ms. Stockett:
About the author of The Help: From the NY Times
Read more of the review here.
Have you read The Help?
Choose your answer from the ones below. (Squidoo thought of the clever answers, by the way.)
The Help is:
"A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't." (from author's website)
This Southern Author's official site:
Don't miss it!
I personally, cannot wait to read this book set in the south.
The website also has a list of questions for "Reading Groups".
- Kathryn Stockett - The Help: A Novel
- Kathryn Stockett's official site.
A "Sample" Question about THE HELP for a Book Club:
How much of a person's character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?
I found the question on Kathryn Stockett Reading Groups.
What's the buzz about The Help?
What do others think about this southern fiction novel?
Novel Subject:
What do you think? Does the subject of this southern novel offend you?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byYes, I am offended.
No, not offended.
Brenda Bartella Peterson says:
It inspired me to write about my own experience of having HELP.
http://www.brendabartellapeterson.com/index.php?page=notes&display=97
Posted October 24, 2009
Frankster says:
Although I'm an Army brat, my kinfolk are from the south and many had "help". They were loved but they were still the help from what I could tell.
Posted July 27, 2009
Brenda Bartella Peterson Gives her reactions to this southern novel:
- Brenda Bartella Peterson : Notes on the novel The Help
- Brenda Bartella Peterson gives here reactions to the novel The Help
The Help: Audio edition
![The Help [An Unabridged Production;1080 Minutes]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31-pZAtC3lL._SL160_.jpg)
Postscript of utmost importance
If you buy any of the books recommended above, this page automatically makes a donation to the incredible nonprofit, Donors Choose, which helps provide classrooms and students in need with resources that our public schools often lack. Would you like to read this fabulous work of fiction with me?
Sign in, then. Afterwards go and get the novel, The Help
We could compare notes later, if you like.
If you have already read this book, tell me what you thought.
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Reply
- kimmanleyort kimmanleyort Oct 26, 2009 @ 12:40 am
- Just finished this book and, boy, was it hard to put down as I got closer to the end. Really fascinating read and you've outlined it very well.
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Reply
- Mickie_G Mickie_G Oct 25, 2009 @ 3:06 pm | in reply to spirituality
- Thanks for the blessing.
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Reply
- JustBon-Crochet-Designs JustBon-Crochet-Designs Oct 2, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
- This one looks like a must read. Very nicely done :)
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Reply
- lakeerieartists lakeerieartists Aug 27, 2009 @ 3:47 pm
- Haven't read this book yet. Nice job with the SquidLit co-brand. I love the new look of it. :) I will check into this book further.
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Reply
- flighty02 flighty02 Jul 29, 2009 @ 4:07 am
- Sounds like this one will be a good read! I've checked and it is available at Amazon UK too so I may well buy it.
- Load More
Join others in reading their chosen "next book":
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The Help
Amazon Price: $9.50 (as of 12/24/2009) 
![The Help [An Unabridged Production;14 CDs]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31-pZAtC3lL._SL75_.jpg)
The Help [An Unabridged Production;14 CDs]
Amazon Price: (as of 12/24/2009)
Three women in Mississippi.(The Help)(Book review): An article from: Mississippi Business Journal
Amazon Price: (as of 12/24/2009)
by Mickie_G
I am a wife, mother, & grandmother who also happens to be a Baby Boomer. I am also trying to find my place in the world. So who isn't?
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