October: The Help discussion (Spoilers)

[HeatherB]

This month we read The Help by Kathryn Stockett.

Some quick thoughts for discussion:
Did you like it?
Would you recommend it?
How did it make you feel?
Do you connect with any character(s) and why (or why not)?
And whatever else you'd like to say...

 

[HeatherB]

I have to admit, that I actually didn't read it, and I'm still #68 on the wait list at the library. It must be a very popular read!

But, for a change, I actually have quite a few books on my to-read list, so I'm curious to see what others thought of this book before I end up committing time to it. So what did you think? Is it worth my while to read?

 

[Cristina]

I loved it!! I wasn't expecting to like it so much, but I was really drawn into the story. At first I though it kind of odd to have it written in first person by three different characters, but it turned out to be the perfect choice. It was really interesting for me to learn more about a time I don't know too much about. I thought the main characters were really brave. OK, that's all I have to say for now, but I will be back this weekend when things calm down a bit to talk more about it.

 

[tanbanan]

I really loved this book too! (And for once, I felt like the movie really did a good job of portraying the characters from the book onto the big screen.) It saddens me to think that basic human rights like using a certain restroom, bus, school or attending a movie theater were so segregated (and in some places it may not seem like this is still an issue, but it really still exists!) and that was just accepted. I loved the sassiness of the characters, especially Minnie! The narration was different from most novels, but it created such an enjoyable effect on different viewpoints that I felt like you were able to really get a 360 degree perspective as to what it was like to live in that time. It's an amazing read and one that I highly recommend!

 

[Karen]

I put off reading this book for awhile (I read it early in the year, before we picked it to read here) because I didn't think I'd like it. But, I loved it! I just kept saying that I can't believe how far we've come since the 60s. It's really amazing. I can't believe that people were so ignorant back then either. I loved how brave they all were too! I haven't seen the movie yet, but it's in my Netflix cue for whenever it's out on DVD. I can't wait to see it!

 

[rmcabana]

It took me awhile to get into The Help, but I ended up really liking it! I loved Skeeter and admired her from breaking away from her friends and what was expected her. I've read a lot about history and the civil right movement, but it's still pretty shocking to read about how people treated - even when these women part of the family.

I like how the book is told from different perspectives, too. I'd love to spend an afternoon with Minnie and Ablene and hear them tell stories!

I have to say, one of my favorite moments was when Skeeter heard Bob Dylan's The Time They Are A Changing" for the first time! I'm a big Dylan fan so I just cheered out loud when I read that.

 

[mrs2a50]

Loved it - would definitely recommend it!

 

[4noisyboys]

I absolutely loved the book. I really wanted to see the movie when it came out, but I had to read the book first. It's at our cheap theater so I went by myself this afternoon to see it.

I too thought it was a little weird that it was written in the first person by three characters...it threw me off at first, but then I found I really enjoyed it and it definitely worked.

I loved all the characters and I think she did a great job of having us really get to know each and everyone of them.

I highly recommend it! I tried to get 2 of my boys to go to the movies with me, but they weren't interested. I don't think I could get them to read the book, but I think it's something everyone should see, especially if they aren't going to read the book. There were a lot of parts in the movie that had the audience gasping about the way they were treated. It's an ugly but important part of our history.

 

[Kat]

Oh wow, I just saw this...

I read this book recently and couldn't put it down.

Some quick thoughts for discussion:
Did you like it? LOVED IT
Would you recommend it? Absolutely, it's a really well written book.
How did it make you feel? A part of me felt sad, because the way blacks were treated and to hear a more "personal" type experience about it rather than just what is out there in the history. This was a story about how it might have affected actual individuals vs. something general.
Do you connect with any character(s) and why (or why not)? I connected with several characters for different reasons
Skeeter, for her attempt at changing something she believed was wrong and pushing through despite how hard it was.
Milly, for her attitude, I have that attitude, being kind and caring underneath a strong personality that expresses her opinions and doesn't want to be silenced or mistreated.
Celia, for being clueless, caring about others and going through such hard times on her own, and well, her lack of cooking skill.

I'd love to know if the movie was actually any good... I didn't get to see it in theaters, although I wanted to. The characters fit what I had pictured very closely.