Tuesday, April 5, 2011

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Audio CD, 15 disks (18 hours)
Published February 10th 2009 by Penguin Audio (first published 2009)
ISBN:0143144189 (ISBN13: 9780143144182)
primary language: English
original title: The Help
setting: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962 (United States)
5 stars overall / 5 stars audio narration (audio perfection)

Goodreads Synopsis:
In 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, two African-American maids and one white Junior League socialite—seemingly as different from one another as can be, will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating withing the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes line are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three memorable women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another. A deeply moving novel filled with poignancy, humor, and hope, The Help is a timeless and universal story about the lines we abide by, and the ones we don't.


My Thoughts:
I'm not sure what to say about this book that hasn't already been said. I LOVED it. I thought it was as authentic a portrayal of the South as I have read, and it was written with grace, tenderness, and a deep understanding of human nature. The characters were textured and complex, and they evoked a real emotional reaction from me as a reader. I loved that I could love (or hate) these women so passionately, and these emotional connections I had with the characters made this book a rich and rewarding read.

Couple the excellent writing with a stellar cast of narrators for the audiobook. Every one was pitch perfect for her character. It's not often that a book reaches out and embraces me on every level, but this one has done so, and I will never forget it.


  

1 comment:

  1. I just keep hearing more and more gushing praise about this book! I really want to try to read it sometime.

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