Hello everyone! Here's a review of The Help which I read this summer. I've been meaning to do this for a long time!
I have to say, this is one of the best books I've ever read. It's so skillfully written that the storyline kept me on my toes right to the last page! It's a dazzling read which I know I'll delve back into time and time again. Just when you think you know what will happen at the end, everything changes, which highlights how quickly a life of the help in this story can change, due to the boundaries they face which are highlighted by this incredibly uplifting story. Here's a very brief synopsis:
Let me introduce you to Skeeter Phelan, one of the main characters of the story. Her mother wishes she'd dress fancy to attract a rich man, but all Skeeter's into is writing. The main plot of the story is Skeeter 's quest to document the day-to-day lives of 'the help. This story is Skeeter's chance to get her writing published, but the writing isn't the challenge here. This story is set in 1940s Jackson, Mississipi. This means Skeeter was betraying everyone in her social circle, as well as risking being caught by the police on several occasions to meet with the help. Of course, through this plot we ourselves get to read about each individual person's experience, which are incredibly moving. These stories are also diverse, and through them we learn about the people in Skeeter's social circle, whom the help serve, and who are also very different from each other. For example, whilst Celia is timid and relies on Minny for not only household chores but emotional support, Elizabeth is harsh and is even indifferent towards her own child, who is brought up by Aibileen.
I was most impressed with the form used by Stockett, which perfectly suits the story she is telling. She has honoured all of the unique characters by giving each of them a voice. For example, in one chapter Skeeter will speak, in another Aibileen will and so on. This allows them to win our hearts which indeed they do! I became attached to the characters Minny, Skeeter, Aibileen and Celia. I feel that by using this technique Stockett has allowed their perspectives to feel very exclusive to the reader, something which can't be emulated by a film. In addition to this, the satire used by Stockett and projected by Minny makes the story not only humorous but edgy and real. This is because it made clear throughout the story the dangers of both Skeeter and Aibileen's apirational goal. Furthermore, from the very first few pages Stockett makes the reader feel familiar with the settings and characters introduced through her brilliant use of the first person narrative. I felt instantly involved with Aibileen's life from the first page, and obliged to read more and more about it.
I would like to criticise the review by the Daily Telegraph that the book 'draws you completely into a world of okra and fried chicken and peach cobbler'. This review suggests that the book is solely about African American culture. In actual fact, the story highlights that the only difference between white and black people is their colour, for example the help raise white children, which is demonstrated brilliantly by Aibileen's relationship Mae Mobley (Elizabeth's baby) and Skeeter's relationship with Constantine. Thus, this review is totally ignorant of the story's message and stereotypical.
I would give such a remarkable story a rating of 10/10, as I myself cannot fault it.
I apologise for the lack of posts this month, however next month there's a lot in store including more soap and LouCesca's first video!
Louise x
I have to say, this is one of the best books I've ever read. It's so skillfully written that the storyline kept me on my toes right to the last page! It's a dazzling read which I know I'll delve back into time and time again. Just when you think you know what will happen at the end, everything changes, which highlights how quickly a life of the help in this story can change, due to the boundaries they face which are highlighted by this incredibly uplifting story. Here's a very brief synopsis:
Let me introduce you to Skeeter Phelan, one of the main characters of the story. Her mother wishes she'd dress fancy to attract a rich man, but all Skeeter's into is writing. The main plot of the story is Skeeter 's quest to document the day-to-day lives of 'the help. This story is Skeeter's chance to get her writing published, but the writing isn't the challenge here. This story is set in 1940s Jackson, Mississipi. This means Skeeter was betraying everyone in her social circle, as well as risking being caught by the police on several occasions to meet with the help. Of course, through this plot we ourselves get to read about each individual person's experience, which are incredibly moving. These stories are also diverse, and through them we learn about the people in Skeeter's social circle, whom the help serve, and who are also very different from each other. For example, whilst Celia is timid and relies on Minny for not only household chores but emotional support, Elizabeth is harsh and is even indifferent towards her own child, who is brought up by Aibileen.
I was most impressed with the form used by Stockett, which perfectly suits the story she is telling. She has honoured all of the unique characters by giving each of them a voice. For example, in one chapter Skeeter will speak, in another Aibileen will and so on. This allows them to win our hearts which indeed they do! I became attached to the characters Minny, Skeeter, Aibileen and Celia. I feel that by using this technique Stockett has allowed their perspectives to feel very exclusive to the reader, something which can't be emulated by a film. In addition to this, the satire used by Stockett and projected by Minny makes the story not only humorous but edgy and real. This is because it made clear throughout the story the dangers of both Skeeter and Aibileen's apirational goal. Furthermore, from the very first few pages Stockett makes the reader feel familiar with the settings and characters introduced through her brilliant use of the first person narrative. I felt instantly involved with Aibileen's life from the first page, and obliged to read more and more about it.
I would like to criticise the review by the Daily Telegraph that the book 'draws you completely into a world of okra and fried chicken and peach cobbler'. This review suggests that the book is solely about African American culture. In actual fact, the story highlights that the only difference between white and black people is their colour, for example the help raise white children, which is demonstrated brilliantly by Aibileen's relationship Mae Mobley (Elizabeth's baby) and Skeeter's relationship with Constantine. Thus, this review is totally ignorant of the story's message and stereotypical.
I would give such a remarkable story a rating of 10/10, as I myself cannot fault it.
I apologise for the lack of posts this month, however next month there's a lot in store including more soap and LouCesca's first video!
Louise x
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