

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“This one, this is for the white lady. You tell her we love her, like she’s our own family.”

The most poignant, yet inspirational, quote, for me, from this absolutely incredible book.

Kathryn Stockett captures in essence, the extreme pain, hypocrisy and joy in a period where a hierarchy existed based solely on the colour of a person’s skin. We’re all aware of civil rights movements, racism and discrimination people have and still, unfortunately, may face: its been a part of the world we live in, however, The Help thrusts the reader into situations, told through the voices of fiery, desperate and brave women (black and white) who seek to make a difference and have their stories heard – the ignored suddenly become whisked into the spotlight in a town so backward ‘League’ meetings and Bridge club somehow trump a Mother’s natural yearning to bring up her own children – instead pawning them off on the “Help”.

Stockett manages to re-light the spark, which many people think today is not needed, and highlight what is right and what is wrong through hilarious, entertaining characters, leaving you wanting to read more and more.

“I turn around. ‘Oh my Lord.’ I might as well be Little Stevie Wonder I am so blinded by that dress.”

Admittedly, although I felt Stockett wrapped her book up well, the ending still left me longing for more, to be a part of that world a little longer – to see civil rights fall into place, the way they should: perhaps that is a compliment to her story-telling.

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