The Help
By Kathryn Stockett
Completed August 9, 2009

Set in the turbulent Jackson, Mississippi during the early 1960’s, The Help was the debut novel by Kathryn Stockett. Many times, when I read a novelist’s debut book, I think: “that’s not a bad start” or “some flaws but a promising career.” Rarely does a debut knock my socks off – but that’s exactly what The Help did.

The Help was narrated by two black maids, Aibileen and Minny, and a young white woman, Skeeter. Through their stories, we learn about what it was like to be black maid to white employers during the time of segregation. For many maids, the experience was humiliating – backbreaking work for little pay, hostile employers and segregated bathrooms, forks and dish towels. Other maids, however, formed warm and loving relationships with their employers, especially with the children they helped raise. This love, however, was always disguised and hidden. It would be deadly for anyone to know to about it.

To me, the hallmark of a good Southern novel are the excellent characters, and The Help was no exception. I grew angry when the maids were mistreated, cheered for them when something good happened to them and admired the bravery of every woman – black and white – who defied the racial norms to make things better in Jackson. You’ll cheer and jeer throughout this novel – but I don’t think anyone could be very disappointed.

Highly recommended, The Help will go down as one my favorite books of 2009 – a must-read for anyone interested in Southern Literature, race and gender relations and just plain good writing. I wait anxiously to see what the future holds for Kathryn Stockett. ( )