Rating: *****
Tags: Fiction, General, Political Science, Literary, Social Science, Historical, Ethnic Studies, Contemporary Women, Mississippi, Jackson (Miss.), Civil Rights, African American Studies, African American women, Fiction - General, Civil rights movements, Historical fiction, Political Freedom & Security, American Historical Fiction, African American, Lang:en
Summary
Starred Review. What perfect timing for this optimistic,
uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's
new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in
Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white
children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia
Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious
to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing
about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to
collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club
sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a
maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend
Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times
after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter
puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking,
bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving
Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and
pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and
history, this one has bestseller written all over it.
(Feb.)
In writing about such a troubled time in American history,
Southern-born Stockett takes a big risk, one that paid off
enormously. Critics praised Stockett's skillful depiction of
the ironies and hypocrisies that defined an era, without
resorting to depressing or controversial clichés.
Rather, Stockett focuses on the fascinating and complex
relationships between vastly different members of a household.
Additionally, reviewers loved (and loathed) Stockett's
three-dimensional characters—and cheered and hissed their
favorites to the end. Several critics questioned Stockett's
decision to use a heavy dialect solely for the black
characters. Overall, however,
The Help is a compassionate, original story, as well
as an excellent choice for book groups.From Publishers Weekly
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