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The Help: A Novel (now it's a movie!)

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Why I wanted to read The Help:

I love southern literature--and this novel is "oh so Southern".

So, when a friend told me about a 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.

The Help is one of the best novels I have read in a very long time. It tells a story about a time in the South that led to a better time. Find inspiration from this novel by Kathryn Stockett. Learn from the past. Understand from where you came--even if you did not grow up in the South.

FYI: The film based on this novel was released in August 2011. You can see the trailer for "The Help" here....

(photo by Kem Lee from Kathryn Stockett's Page on AmazonKathryn Stockett, author of )

The South in the late 1950's and early 60's~

My childhood memory of our "help".

Yes, in 1950-1960's Alabama, our "help" was most likely black. As a child, I did not see our "help" as being African American. Her skin shade was just different from mine. The little girl who was my best friend was different from me, too; she had curly blond hair and mine was just plain ol' brown. But we were both girls.

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 grown up hand in my small one and tracing the lines and feeling her skin. I did not feel bad asking her that question. After all, I was just a 6 year old child who 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.



Image is from the Amazon page for The Help (Movie Tie-In)The Help: A Novel now a movie

Two of my favorite quotes from the book "The Help"

Novel Southern Literary Quotes!

It is not often that I keep track of what the characters say in books, but this southern novel is exceptional!
  • "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."

The Help ~ buy it on Amazon:

This southern novel would be a great gift book!

The Help

The Help

by: Kathryn Stockett

Amazon Price: $7.98 (as of 02/18/2012)Buy Now

This novel tells it like it was! Honest.

It is also one of the most charming books I have ever read. On one page the author would have me crying, on the next I would be laughing out loud!

“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 (taken from a review in the NY Times)

"When she moved to New York City from Jackson, she came to understand how deeply ambivalent she felt about her roots. If a New Yorker told her that Jackson must be beautiful, she would say it was fraught with crime. But if a New Yorker spoke contemptuously about Jackson, Ms. Stockett would rise to its defense. "Mississippi is like my mother," she writes in an afterword to "The Help." And you will see, after your wrestling match with this problematic but ultimately winning novel, that when it comes to the love-hate familial bond between Ms. Stockett and her subject matter, she's telling the truth.."

Read more of the review here.

Have you read The Help?

Do you like "southern" literature?

Choose your answer from the ones below. (Squidoo thought of the clever answers, by the way.)

(Image is from Microsoft Clip Art)

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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:

Kathryn Stockett's novel is wonderful for reading groups!

Learn about this southern novel and the author on the site that is "official".

I absolutely loved this novel. The stories it tells are unforgettable.

The website also has a list of questions for "Reading Groups".
Kathryn Stockett - The Help: A Novel
Kathryn Stockett's official site.

The Help is a Book Club Favorite!

Try to answer a sample book club discussion question for this novel:


How much of a person's character would you say is shaped by the times in which they live?

Answer the sample question in the "comment box" below:

(FYI: I found the question on Kathryn Stockett Reading Groups.) Don't forget to sign my guestbook further down the page, too.


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Now "The Help" is a movie!

This wonderful novel about the South of the past is now on the big screen!

The film was released August 2011. Watch the trailer for the movie below. Then scroll down to find links to some enlightening reviews of this film.
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Reviews for the movie "The Help"

Reviews of the film based on the novel The Help. So far, they all seem good. I do not get the feeling that it will win many oscars, but time will tell. When I see this film, I will let you know what I thought of it.
  1. Review by blogger, Luvvie
  2. Review of the film by blogger Caroline Bookbinder
  3. Blog Terrapin Station gives an opinion about the movie based on "The Help".
  4. Comments from Common Sense Media.

What's the buzz about The Help?

What do others think about this southern fiction novel?

These blogs talk "southern" about this novel.
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Inside the Best Picture Nominees: A deep dive into 'The Help'
'The Help' leads nominees at NAACP Image Awards
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Novel Subject:

What do you think? Does the subject of this southern novel offend you?

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Yes, I am offended.

No, not offended.

Showpup says:

Not at all. Raw human and real. We can learn so much from history.

Posted August 29, 2011

dexter-yarbrough says:

It is a part of history. The truth is the light!

Posted August 17, 2011

vivian says:

no, I am not offended, because this is part of the history of the south.

Posted July 28, 2011

pheonix76 says:

It doesn't offend me at all, because it seems very believable. I am not from the south or from that generation, but I can imagine there were plenty of stories like the maids told Skeeter in "The Help."

Posted April 19, 2011

ShirlW says:

The subject of the novel did not offend me, however the actions of so many in this book most definitely offends me....

Posted July 28, 2010

 
view all 10 comments

Brenda Bartella Peterson Gives her reactions to this southern novel:

Ms. Peterson gives the URL for this webpage in the above comments. Here is the active link you can click on to read it. You will find it worth your time!
Brenda Bartella Peterson : Notes on the novel The Help
Brenda Bartella Peterson gives here reactions to the novel The Help

The Help: Audio edition

I repeat, this would make a great gift book!

If you are not familiar with the "southern" accent, an audio book could be a really great experience. You can hear the dialogue as it should sound.
The Help

The Help

by: Kathryn Stockett

Sometimes you need a good book to listen to!

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Postscript of utmost importance:

DonorsChooseIf 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.

A final opportunity to purchase this novel!

For yourself or as a gift.

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Please help out by signing my Guestbook ~

Then, go and purchase The Help from Amazon!

Have you purchased this novel? Then go and get it. We could compare notes later, if you like.

If you have already read this book, tell me what you thought.

Thanks for visiting my review of this historical novel about the 1960's south. Don't forget to share this page with your friends.

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Find a new book to read:

These are all "RocketMoms"

Who knows, you might find your next "Beach", "Vacation", or "Rainy Day" book here.
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If you liked this book review by me--

then you might possibly want to read more!

Reading is one of my favorite past-times and I love to share my opinions. Please feel free to visit these other reviews and you just might find your new favorite book.
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What's The Buzz for the movie?

The Help: a 2011 film

"The Help" wins big at Image Awards; Houston remembered
Academy Awards Preview
Inside the Best Picture Nominees: A deep dive into 'The Help'
'The Help' and 'Tree of Life' are Oscar contenders
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Mickie_G

I am a wife, mother, & grandmother who also happens to be a "Baby Boomer". I guess that means I have loads of "life experience"--some of that experience... more »

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A REALLY Good Film about those difficult times: 

The Long Walk Home

The Long Walk Home

Amazon Price: $64.49 (as of 02/18/2012)Buy Now

Having lived in Montgomery, Alabama during this era, I can tell you that this film captures this time very well.

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