Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. Black maids raise white children, but aren’t trusted not to steal the silver. Some lines will never be crossed. Aibileen is a black maid: smart, regal, and raising her seventeenth white child. Yet something shifted inside Aibileen the day her own son died while his bosses looked the other way. Minny, Aibileen’s best friend, is by some way the sassiest woman in Mississippi. But even her extraordinary cooking won’t protect Minny from the consequences of her tongue. Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter returns home with a degree and a head full of hope, but her mother will not be happy until there’s a ring on her finger. Seeking solace with Constantine, the beloved maid who raised her, Skeeter finds she has gone. But why will no one tell her where? Seemingly as different as can be, Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny’s lives converge over a clandestine project that will not only put them all at risk but also change the town of Jackson for ever. But why? And for what? The Help is a deeply moving, timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we won’t. Itis about how women, whether mothers or daughters, the help or the boss, relate to each other – and that terrible feeling that those who look after your children may understand them, even love them, better than you . . .
The Help
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'A wondrous novel about three unforgettable women. A glorious read' - Adriana Trigiani 'Daring, vitally important and deftly handled, I loved and admired The Help. It's very courageous. VERY courageous. Fantastic' - Marian Keyes
About the Author
Kathryn Stockett was born and raised in Jackson, Mississippi. After graduating from the University of Alabama, she moved to New York City, where she worked in magazine publishing and marketing for nine years. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband and daughter. This is her first novel.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
915 of 936 people found the following review helpful
By Ben Ripley
Format:Hardcover
When a book makes you occasionally laugh out loud, has your eyes brimming with tears or has you shouting at the pages through empathy and anger, you know the author has a very rare talent. 'The Help' is one such book. I have not enjoyed a tome so immensely since Michel Faber's 'The Crimson Petal and the White'.
The story is told through three wonderfully real female characters; Minny, Aibileen and Miss Skeeter. The location is Jackson, Mississippi and it's the early 1960s - a turbulent time as the civil rights movement thunders along to the chagrin of many bigoted fools. One visionary in the small town defies her heritage and vows to make a difference and with the aid of the local maids, begins a project which will create havoc for those with lofty positions and appalling attitudes. Within the pages of the book, we are privy to scenes of amazing warmth, great humour and delightful characters with whom you'd love to spend time. Kathryn Stockett has also created one of the most venomous villains since Cruella de Vil and at times I found myself cursing this woman as if I knew her personally.
Vital, engrossing and utterly compelling, 'The Help' is a book I'd urge anyone to read.
The story is told through three wonderfully real female characters; Minny, Aibileen and Miss Skeeter. The location is Jackson, Mississippi and it's the early 1960s - a turbulent time as the civil rights movement thunders along to the chagrin of many bigoted fools. One visionary in the small town defies her heritage and vows to make a difference and with the aid of the local maids, begins a project which will create havoc for those with lofty positions and appalling attitudes. Within the pages of the book, we are privy to scenes of amazing warmth, great humour and delightful characters with whom you'd love to spend time. Kathryn Stockett has also created one of the most venomous villains since Cruella de Vil and at times I found myself cursing this woman as if I knew her personally.
Vital, engrossing and utterly compelling, 'The Help' is a book I'd urge anyone to read.
324 of 333 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I finished this book this afternoon after trying to drag out the ending as long as possible. I did not want to leave these characters behind; I wanted to continue on their journey with them, make sure they were OK ¨C I miss them already.
I have been hearing about this book and have read lots of positive reviews for the longest time but sometimes I get put off by books that have so much hype around them and end up passing them by. Oh how glad I am that I didn¡¯t do this with The Help. It is worth every glowing review, every recommendation and every superlative ever written about it.
The book is set in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962 and is narrated by three women in turn. Aibileen and Minny are black maids and Miss Skeeter is a white college graduate who mourns the disappearance of her old maid and wants to do something more with her life than marry a local boy and have her kids raised by maids.
The story takes us with these women as the embark on a dangerous journey to try and change decades of prejudice and pave the way for a better life for the next generations. Through the words of each of these women we learn how rife racism and intolerance was back in the 1960¡äs deep south. There are tales of unbelievable cruelty and humiliation but also tales of tenderness and real love. It was so good to hear a story told primarily from the point of view of the black maids too and refreshing to hear both sides in all its rawness; the distrust and even hatred on both sides. The book also successfully managed to avoid being sensational or over-egging the pudding. Despite the subject matter (which is so important) the book never feels too heavy or preachy: it is as light as one of Minny¡¯s famous caramel cakes and aswell as riotously funny and tender.
I implore you to read this book ¨C you will fall in love with Aibileen, roar with laughter at Minny and rootfor Miss Skeeter for 450 pages. And I guarantee that Miss Hilly is one of the best bitches you will come across in any book! She is truly awful but so brilliantly drawn and you will root for her to get her just desserts (pun intended).
I feel like I have lost friends now I have finished this book. It is a true gem and I highly, highly recommend.
I have been hearing about this book and have read lots of positive reviews for the longest time but sometimes I get put off by books that have so much hype around them and end up passing them by. Oh how glad I am that I didn¡¯t do this with The Help. It is worth every glowing review, every recommendation and every superlative ever written about it.
The book is set in Jackson, Mississippi in 1962 and is narrated by three women in turn. Aibileen and Minny are black maids and Miss Skeeter is a white college graduate who mourns the disappearance of her old maid and wants to do something more with her life than marry a local boy and have her kids raised by maids.
The story takes us with these women as the embark on a dangerous journey to try and change decades of prejudice and pave the way for a better life for the next generations. Through the words of each of these women we learn how rife racism and intolerance was back in the 1960¡äs deep south. There are tales of unbelievable cruelty and humiliation but also tales of tenderness and real love. It was so good to hear a story told primarily from the point of view of the black maids too and refreshing to hear both sides in all its rawness; the distrust and even hatred on both sides. The book also successfully managed to avoid being sensational or over-egging the pudding. Despite the subject matter (which is so important) the book never feels too heavy or preachy: it is as light as one of Minny¡¯s famous caramel cakes and aswell as riotously funny and tender.
I implore you to read this book ¨C you will fall in love with Aibileen, roar with laughter at Minny and rootfor Miss Skeeter for 450 pages. And I guarantee that Miss Hilly is one of the best bitches you will come across in any book! She is truly awful but so brilliantly drawn and you will root for her to get her just desserts (pun intended).
I feel like I have lost friends now I have finished this book. It is a true gem and I highly, highly recommend.
201 of 214 people found the following review helpful
By zimheidi
Format:Paperback
It is not often I leave reviews, however this book deserves all the praise in the world and more! I have just finished reading this book and I have that empty and sense of loss feeling that comes with finishing a really good book. It is absolutely brilliant, I just couldnt put it down. The author has an amazing ability to transport you into each characters world and envision the stage of the characters. I came to love each character in the book and almost felt like they became my good friends by the last page. The book had me absolutely gripped and had me experience a range of emotions, one minute I was laughing out loud, the next almost in tears. It is very rare that a book be so successful at transporting me so effectively and willingly into the characters world. I really truly enjoyed this wonderful book.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Help
Thoroughly enjoyed reading every word and couldn't put it down while at the same time didn't want it to end. Brilliant.
Published 3 hours ago by Mrs Susan Boden
5.0 out of 5 stars
THE HELP
Just a fantastic book - I couldn't put it down.
A must for people who get involved in what they are read.
Tempted to read more by Kathryn Stockett.
A must for people who get involved in what they are read.
Tempted to read more by Kathryn Stockett.
Published 1 day ago by lily
5.0 out of 5 stars
heartbreakingly beautiful
Such a bittersweet story. Well narrated through the eyes of three main characters. Although some of the characters were one dimensional, this is overlooked by the flow of the story
Published 1 day ago by Thuwaibah Basrael
5.0 out of 5 stars
Addictive and touching
From the first page the characters came to life; I couldn't put it down. Definitely worth a read. Only problem is I have a book shaped gap to fill and I just hope whatever i next... Read more
Published 1 day ago by wriggly
5.0 out of 5 stars
LOVE IT
GREAT BOOK GREAT FILM I HAVE IT ON MY IPAD TO CAN READ WHEN EVER I WANT WITHOUT LOOSING WHAT PAGE I AM ON!
Published 2 days ago by Miss B. S. Lewis
3.0 out of 5 stars
Engaging read
Aibileen's narration was a real highlight in this novel and left me wanting to hear more whenever it switched. Read more
Published 2 days ago by Mr. Ian J. Mitchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Compulsive Reading
I've always had difficulty watching any programs related to the diversion of the north and south of America, reading this book was a little easier, made me feel very humble and... Read more
Published 4 days ago by breny
5.0 out of 5 stars
White Good, Black Bad
A truly shocking indictment of racial prejudice, told in a humorous and sad way, making me realise what it had been like to occupy an inferior position in society. Read more
Published 5 days ago by Isobel Hamid
5.0 out of 5 stars
the help
good book, enjoying reading it havent seen the film but the books are always better anyway. Worth buying this book.
Published 5 days ago by jan
3.0 out of 5 stars
Hmmm
So, I haven't read it yet, though I will do a review once read.
However, I orderd a second had book saying 'very good condition'...received it today, no... Read more
However, I orderd a second had book saying 'very good condition'...received it today, no... Read more
Published 5 days ago by Gabriella
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