The Help

              The Help is an outstanding book written by an American author Kathryn Stockett. Stockett grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, which is where the book takes place. Growing up in the South. Stockett was able to experience having an African American in her household as a maid. She and her maid became so close. Once her maid had passed away when Stockett was sixteen, she decided to write the book; a way to remember the times with her maid. The story leads you thorough the troubles of African American maids working in the environment of white households. The Help is a powerful book with a great story about the 1960’s; it opens the eyes to the reader and really draws attention to this historical time period.

Stockett was raised to believe that almost every white house in America had a black maid. She grew up with one of her own in Jackson, and her name was Demetrie. As Stockett grew up, the relationship with her maid became stronger. Since this relationship was so strong with her maid she couldn’t let her go even when Demetrie passed away. Stockett says, “I wrote it because I wanted to go back to the place with Demetrie. I wanted to hear her voice again.” She didn’t write this book intentionally for the world, she wrote it for herself. With the question that was never asked by Kathryn or anyone in her family: what it felt like to be a black in Mississippi working for Kathryn’s white family. It never occurred to be asked; all Stockett wanted was to know the answer. The story tells us the answer, and that’s why she wanted to write the book.

The Help tells the story of three regular women who take an extraordinary step out of their comfort zone to make a change. We have Skeeter, a young intelligent woman who returned home from graduating Ole Miss. As she pursues her dream of being an author, she challenges herself to do things no one would ever think of doing, leading her to become one of the strongest ladies out there. The one who basically raised her, Constantine, has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter what happened. Furious with her family she takes a stance and makes a change.

The two other very important ladies find themselves working alongside Skeeter. Aibileen is a black maid who cares so much for everyone. She is a sweet lady who is dedicated to help raise her seventeenth white child. Her current child she is looking after loves Aibileen more than anything. Aibileen loves her just as much, but knows it might not last long, for they might part.

Then we have Minny. I get a crack out of her. She also is a black maid, who is funny and she sure speaks her own mind. That isn’t the greatest trait one would always love to have when it comes to losing your job. Minny eventually find her way with another family, but this family isn’t so perfect after all.

These wonderful ladies are ready for the challenge. This project is going to lead them all to be at risk, but these ladies are so strong they’re whiling to accept the challenge. They are trapped in the life they don’t want to be in, and they will do anything to get out of it and make some changes. With the help of their white friend Skeeter they stand hand ready for the world.

I hope I left you wanting to read this astonishing book. With the powerful characters and amazing plot, I found myself loving this book. This historical time was very critical, and reading The Help really made me aware of how terrible some people were. I hope you find this book an eye opener as I found it for me.