The Help

by Kathryn Stockett

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

I genuinely love this book. There's layers and layers to this story that touch upon so many different aspects of life, but it also attempts to have a difficult discussion about racism. The characters themselves are so varied - there are all sorts of different backgrounds, classes, education levels, marital status... these ladies are all over the place. So if you're looking at this book purely as sociology and fiction intertwined, I feel it has a lot of content.

But that's not what I love about it. I love how much I HATE Hilly Holbrook. I love how much I am rooting for Aibileen to get through to little Mae Mobly and that her lessons are remembered. I love the way Skeeter finds the confidence to ignore family and peer pressure and to choose her values over a man who likes her, but could never support her ideals. I love the bits and pieces of bravery woven into this story that make it beautiful. And, so sue me, I freaking LOVE Minny's pie. Also her relationship with Celia Foote and how between Minny and Footes, there are no lines. It's the sort of relationship that sort of gives you hope for the rest of the book characters - these are not all bigots and racists. There are some people who see everyone as just that: people.

There are conversations around Stockett's choice to write two black characters when she is white, and arguments accusing her of making Skeeter a white savior character. I actually think that Stockett was pretty tasteful, but I'm not here to have an argument about racism in books - I do touch a little bit about my thoughts regarding the white savior aspect in my full review on my blog, but if you are looking for commentary about Minny and Aibileen's voices and other racial discussion - I highly recommend seeking out #OwnVoices reviewers who can offer more fair judgment on these aspects. I personally wasn't uncomfortable with these voices (and I've called out books for being racist before) but there are defintely some folks who are and I think their voices matter.

At the end of the day, I feel 100% confident in recommending this book to anyone who enjoys historical fiction, stories about strong women, and honestly just a good fiction novel.