The Help the book (characters, story, great, favorite)

[chef.sunny22]

Has anyone read this? I just finished it. I liked it because I enjoy books set in the South but I think the last third of the book dragged a little. I'm not too happy with the end.

[thepinksquid]

You know, I liked it but I didn't love it. I didn't enjoy the ending either. The whole theme of the "white savior" in the story was a little tiresome, as was the unevenness of the "pidgin" dialogue from the black characters. Overall it was not bad, and a quick read, but I didn't LOVE it.

[Sam I Am]

I thought the ending was weak as well, but I did love the rest of it. I grew up in Jackson, moving to Belhaven in late 1963, went to Power Elementary, and lived at 1745 Myrtle Street (where Hilly lived, but it was not the chi-chi place as described. There were a couple of big houses and some money there, but mostly young families in 1300 square foot houses). It is a beautiful neighborhood, though, and a fabulous place to grow up - but then again, I consider that whole era to have been a fabulous time to grow up. It was a great way to revisit the places of my childhood and I think that's why I have to say it is a favorite book of mine.

I have to say - I do not remember any outdoor bathrooms for The Help, or bathrooms in garages, or any of that. I DO recall separate drinking fountains. I also do not recall any disrespect, at least from my family and my friends' families, toward The Help. My mama would have knocked me through a wall if I'd given one bit of lip to anyone of any color. Perhaps Ms. Stockett talked with people from another area of Jackson, or a great deal of literary license was used? She's 12 years younger than I am, so the story definitely is not built off personal experience. Ms. Stockett wasn't even born in 1963.

Was it an accurate portrayal? I'm not totally sure. I was very young, too young to catch all the nuances. My father is now 80 years old and we've discussed all of this; he doesn't exactly recall things the way they were portrayed either, although he admits to a great deal of racial hysteria during and after the Evers murder, the King assassination, etc.

All in all, I think it is a very, very good book - but I'm with the rest of the world, the ending was not what I wanted it to be....even though I'm not sure what I wanted it to be!

[chef.sunny22]

Originally Posted by Sam I Am

I
I have to say - I do not remember any outdoor bathrooms for The Help, or bathrooms in garages, or any of that. I DO recall separate drinking fountains. I also do not recall any disrespect, at least from my family and my friends' families, toward The Help. My mama would have knocked me through a wall if I'd given one bit of lip to anyone of any color. Perhaps Ms. Stockett talked with people from another area of Jackson, or a great deal of literary license was used? She's 12 years younger than I am, so the story definitely is not built off personal experience. Ms. Stockett wasn't even born in 1963.

You see, if you have class, you don't have to talk down to people who work for you. It's those people who are insecure who have to be uppity.

Your mama sounds like she was a lady.

[CA4Now]

There's a long thread on this book from a couple of years ago: "The Help"

[chef.sunny22]

Thank you! ^^

[Fleur66]

Originally Posted by thepinksquid

You know, I liked it but I didn't love it. I didn't enjoy the ending either. The whole theme of the "white savior" in the story was a little tiresome, as was the unevenness of the "pidgin" dialogue from the black characters. Overall it was not bad, and a quick read, but I didn't LOVE it.

Agree about the white savior character. Plus I think it is tremendously hard to write a character like that without it becoming tiresome.