The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Fact #1: Despite the lack of attention I've given my blog as of date, I have not in fact given up reading. I just figured my friends had better things to do than read dry, academic commentaries on Beowulf or Paradise Lost.
Fact #2: I'm probably the last person on earth to have finally read Kathryn Stockett's The Help.


Ever since I heard the buzz surrounding the novel and eventually the movie, I had been meaning to pick up a copy and read. I mean, NPR commented that it's one of the most important books since To Kill a Mockingbird, which, despite one's thoughts of NPR, are some pretty words to live up to.

Thanks to my lovely best friend, I snagged a copy and started reading as soon as finals were over. The story revolves around three main characters: Skeeter, a young college graduate who's more interested in journalism than marriage; Aibileen, a wise and maternal maid who works for Skeeter's friend; and Minny, Aibileen's closest friend despite her bad temper and "sass-mouth." Skeeter wants to do more with her life than just settle down and keep house, so she decides to write a book about maids in Jackson, Mississippi with the help of Aibileen, Minny and various other maids. Set in the early 1960s, the book examines the relationships between white and black women as well as racial prejudice and gender roles of the time.

I was very interested in the story and plot, however I was a little disappointed with Stockett's writing style. She chose to portray each point of view through first person present, and for Minny and Aibileen's characters, that meant using an ethnic lingo that to me, seemed very forced and unnatural. I understand that the story takes place in the South, but if the maids have accents why doesn't Skeeter? I'm not about to call Stockett racist by any means, but it certainly is risky on her part.

Despite my criticism, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the characters Stockett created. Miss Hilly is an absolute villain that I love to hate, and Aibileen's quiet and patient demeanor is admirable. I'll be interested to see what Stockett writes in the future as well as note how her writing style matures and develops.