Beth F
bermudaonion (Kathy)
Jennifer
Sandy
Lisa
The Help – Book Review
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Young, white junior league member Skeeter Phelan and black maids Aibileen and Minny seem an unlikely grouping in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi. Skeeter is newly graduated from college and starting to question the way things happen in her conservative town. The more time she spends with Aibileen and Minny, the more she realizes everything that is wrong in her society and the dehumanizing way in which many of her friends treat their maids. As Skeeter’s social awareness grows, she enlists Aibileen and Minny in a project that will change all of their lives, and maybe even Jackson.
“The Help” is an absolutely incredible book about race relations in the South during the Civil Rights Era. Now, I did not personally live through that time period, but each of the characters just rang so true. Aibileen, Skeeter, and Minny take turns narrating sections. Each of them is such a rich character that, whenever it is her turn to narrate, I’m sure she’s my favorite. Then the next character would take her turn and I would love her just as much. The writing and character development was all so lovely that I could scarcely believe this was a debut novel.
Heightening my enjoyment of “The Help” was the fact that I listened to it as an audiobook. Aibileen, Minny, and Skeeter’s sections were each narrated by a different woman and all of them were amazing. They infused so much emotion into their words. Particularly interesting was hearing how one character (say Skeeter, for example) was ‘done’ by a different character’s narrator (perhaps Minny’s), or the different ways each of them did the voices for the periphery characters. I felt as if I was getting an insight into how each of the characters saw the others, it really made the book that much better.
Absolutely fantastic book, I completely recommend it. And if you are wanting to try your hand at listening to audiobooks, this is a wonderful choice.
Buy this book from:
Powell’s.
A local independent bookstore via Indiebound.
Amazon.
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This has been getting such great reviews, and I’m thrilled to learn that it makes a super audiobook.
Beth F’s last blog post..Review: A Killing Frost by John Marsden
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This one is now on my list of audiobooks to look for. It sounds like a good one to help me while away my commute.
Jeanne’s last blog post..Whale Talk
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I actually lived in Mississippi in the early 60s, so I’m really anxious to read this book.
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This was my first purchase on my Kindle. I’m going to read it for the Southern Reading Challenge that I just caved in and joined. I can’t wait to read it!
Sandy’s last blog post..My heart’s desire has arrived!
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It’s interesting you did the audiobook, because when I went to see her do a signing, she brought the woman who was the voice of Minny. At first I was bummed, because I thought, Why do I want to listen to the woman who did one of the voices say anything? I’m so glad I did because she was amazing. They both read from a little bit of the book, and I was blown away. Glad you liked the book.
trish’s last blog post..Review – Rape: A Love Story by Joyce Carol Oates
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I absolutely adored this book! My book club is reading it this month too!
Julie P.’s last blog post..Review: The Turnaround & Giveaway
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It’s so interesting to hear what the audiobook is like, especially that it added to your experience. I often wish my attention span let me actually listen to an audiobook instead of having my mind wander.
This is a fantastic book though. I loved it too.
Meghan’s last blog post..Review: The Wonder Singer, George Rabasa
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We recently selected this book to read for one of my Book Club– I nominated it after hearing about it on Twitter. I’m even more excited after reading your review. Thanks for your notes on the audiobook. I’ll probably read it that way.
Laura’s last blog post..Review: Comfort Food by Kate Jacobs
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I really must get my hands on this book… Great review!
Melissa @ Melissa’s Bookshelf’s last blog post..Blogger Tips & Tricks: Helpful Links
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I am going to suggest this one to my book group for next year’s reading list. I have not heard one bad thing about it.
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I have a copy of this on the way to me right now!
Heather J.’s last blog post..Friday Finds, 05/08/09
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Fantastic review. This is one book that I’m finishing before I return it to the library!!
Staci’s last blog post..Library Loot- May 6
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I definitely want to read this one. Thanks for the review!
S. Krishna’s last blog post..Mistress of the Sun – Sandra Gulland
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I’m so tempted to try this as an audiobook after reading your review! I wonder if I could figure out how to grab the files off a CD and put them on my mp3 player.
Ali’s last blog post..Water Ghosts–Shawna Yang Ryan (Book Review)
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I loved this one and am glad to hear the audio was wonderful too!
Melissa – Shhh I’m Reading’s last blog post..Review: The World in Half by Cristina Henriquez
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I just finished this book on audio and agree it was a winner. There was a satisfying ending but I would love to jump 5 – 10 years in the future and learn what becomes of the main characters. It seems hard to believe this is the way it was – I don’t doubt it but I was never exposed to such bias living in New York at the time. I also grew up in a military family and lived on bases without segregation.
I have passed this book on to 2 black women I work with and am anxious for their opinions.
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