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Sunday, January 2, 2011

Book Report: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

(Image from Barnes and Noble)


Good Law, I have to say this was one of thee BEST books I have EVER read! So much so that it earned the a place in my top favorite books. To date, only six books have made into that spot... THE HELP joins REDEEMING LOVE by Francine Rivers, SNOW FLOWER AND THE SECRET FAN by Lisa See, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA by Arthur Golden, THE GIVER by Lois Lowry and THOSE WHO SAVE US by Jenna Blum. Stiff competition, in my opinion!

THE HELP by Kathryn Stockett was recommended to me over a year ago and I finally read it last month! Seriously, I don't know why I waited so long!!!! I even had it on my book shelf, loaned it to a few friends... and still hadn't read it. Maybe it's because the cover didn't appeal to me. I admit it, I totally judge books by their covers. And to be quite honest, even though I read the synopsis, I didn't realize what THE HELP meant. Oh, how ignorant I was....

Speaking of ignorance.... it is prevalent throughout this book. It's set back in the 1960's in Jackson, Mississippi when black women worked for white families... cooking, cleaning, raising white babies. The title simply signifies these amazing women.... they are THE HELP. Everything they(and blacks in general) went through, how they were treated is upsetting.... reality, upsetting reality. It baffles me how ignorant the white folk were back in the day... and it wasn't even that long ago. Thank God, the world has come a long way since then.

You will fall in love with the characters. You will love their stories! You will love the chances that they take. And you will love the hope that is created for these amazing people in the decades to come! I know it's fiction... but I can't help but believe this very story occurred over and over and over.... which is so disheartening.

I also want to share with you that I read this book in print. But a friend shared with me that she actually "read" it via audiobook. I decided to reserve it from the library and am now "re-reading" it. Wow... what a treat!!! The publisher did a great job choosing four different readers. "Hearing" the accents brings the characters even more to life. And I am excited to go through this journey again.... won't you take the journey too?

4 comments:

  1. The Help was recommended to me over a year ago as well. I really need to see if the library up the street has it....

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  2. i have this book sitting on my shelf waiting to be read. i've checked it out twice before and never got around to reading it! i guess i'll have to now! haha.

    i audio booked the sookie stackhouse series in the summer.. i loved hearing it being spoken and it was easy to listen to it while multi-tasking rather than trying to find time to sit and read. i've never doubled up before as far as reading and listening goes!

    you prettied up your blog! and by that i mean changed the background and banner, not that it wasn't pretty before! hahah wow jenn, dig yourself a hole. anyway, it looks great! i love the colors!

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  3. Awesome review! Good law you know I love this book as much as you do! It was amazing!

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  4. I'm adding it to my Nook must haves! I've looked at the cover before and never picked it up to read what it is about but thanks to you...it sounds wonderful. Thanks Shannon!

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