Book Review: "The Help"

by Kathryn Stockett
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I read this book for Book Club for February. I have to say, after purchasing it and reading the inside jacket I was very leery. And even throughout the first chapter I found myself hesitating a bit, but forging on because of the approaching Book Club Meeting. But within a few chapters I was engrossed in the plot.

The story is told by 3 different narrative characters. This is an approach I usually do not like, but the author truly gives each character a distinct voice, using language patterns, vocabulary and sentence structure that is definite and easy to differentiate.

The book unfolds as a story of three women living in the South during the racially charged 1960's. They are all linked together by other women in the community and by a frustration at the racial and social lines which define them. Together their lives become intertwined as they embark on a project which will shake up the community and take a step towards redefining "white and black" America.

By mid-novel I was heavily immersed in the story-line and was really invested in the characters and how their story would unfold. The ending was a perfect balance between closure and realism. Somewhere between tying it up with a pretty bow and tragedy. It's closing hits the truest note it could have and, in my opinion, that is the most difficult part of a novel to get right (even Charles Dickins had to re-write the ending of Great Expectations).

Overall this is a very good read. Engaging, thought provoking and well-written.

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Have you read this book?
If so, what do YOU think?