Saturday, February 4, 2012
The Help
I just started reading The Help by Katheryn Stockett. Throughout the last couple weeks I heard great things about this book and decided to give it a try. So far the story is about a black maid (similar to Calpurnia in To Kill a Mockingbird) named Abilene who is working as "the help" for a white woman named Miss Leefolt during the early 1960s in Mississippi. I am not far in the book, but I already enjoy the author's style of writing, specifically the dialogue she uses. The book is written in first person point of view (Abilene's) and to further convey the setting of the book Stockett writes in a - what some would argue stereotypical - dialect. Many readers have taken issue in and found this "black voice" offensive. Critiques say that Stockett is misrepresenting African American speech and the vernacular is flippant. In my personal opinion I do not believe that she is deliberately trying to make a statement on race. On the contrary, I think that Stockett was just trying to help establish the time period and setting. Despite this heated debate, The Help is on the New York Times Bestsellers List and I can already tell will be a favorite of mine.
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Amy,
ReplyDeleteI have also heard good things about this book and movie. I was wondering how the film stacks up to the book, have you seen the movie? What is the biggest difference between the two? I have heard that the movie is very true to the book. I want to at least see the movie if not read the book. From reading your post this book sounds very good and I think I might give it a try.
Cal, I am also looking for this answer. I just read The Help and don't want to ruin the book by watching the movie. Would they be separate but equal or would they mix into a jumble in my head?
DeleteAmy,
ReplyDeleteI also have recently read The Help and was wondering what you thought about the civil rights issues that were portrayed in the story. Did you find anything offensive about the stories Stockett included? I didn't because I can see rich white women doing that, no offense to people who don't. Did you side more with the white women or the black women? I sided with the black women because I think they are more honest, bright and inspiring people. I think Stockett wrote it so we would feel sympathy for the black women, and I think she did a great job. What about you?
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI also just recently read The Help and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the tone in which she wrote the book. Personally I thought the Southern accent was portrayed beautifully. I thought many problems during this time were mentioned and confronted. I really think lots of people should read this book. I haven't seen the movie but am very interested in seeing how it compares to the book. Do you think the movie or the book will be better?
Amy,
ReplyDeleteI have herd a lot about this book as well and it seems like it would be a good read. I personally think that books that are written in first person are most of the time better, so this book would seem like a book i would enjoy. But i have herd that it is very sad, have you experienced any sad bits yet? if so how sad are they?