I read this last November (read my review), but it was still very fresh in my mind as we discussed it last night.Short summary: It's 1962 Mississippi and three women - aspiring writer Skeeter, professional nanny/maid Aibileen and sassy maid Minny -come together for a project that puts them all at risk.
The group's verdict: Everyone LOVED this one unreservedly. No one even had a single word of criticism in fact. We just gushed about how real the characters seemed (favorites were Minnie and Miss Celia) and how much the narrative pulled us in. We discussed how a decent man was hard to find in the novel, who might be cast in the movie version, southern cooking, and the meaning of Skeeter (one of the members of our group is German, and couldn't find Skeeter in a German-English dictionary).
Up next: Persuasion by Jane Austen. Which I am quite excited about. Especially since Diana Peterfreund has a post-apocalyptic retelling of Persuasion called For Darkness Shows the Stars due in 2011!
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21 comments:
I think I'm the only person in the whole world who hasn't read this yet!
I haven't read it yet either, but it's definitely on my wishlist. By the way, Persuasion is one of my all-time favorite books. I'm excited to hear that Diana Peterfreund is doing a retelling!
Good to hear--this is the book I picked for my next club. I've already read it and loved it, so I'm hoping everyone else does too!
I'm really looking forward to reading this (and Persuasions.) I really need to start a book club.
I think I'm one of the few who haven't read this one yet in spite of the fact that all of the reviews I have read have said it is wonderful!
Glad to hear this! This book is in my TBR pile, can't wait to check it out.
Thanks for sharing your book club report. I love reading those. My group is reading THE HELP for November. We've put it off over and over because the hold list at the library is so long and the group is library sponsored. Was your discussion good? Sometimes our group kind of bogs down when everyone loves the book. :-)
My group did PERSUASION last year when I wanted them to experience Jane Austen. I was surprised at how many didn't like it. I mean....it's Jane! Some even said it was like reading a Harlequin romance. Shocking!! These are mostly older ladies that I guess just didn't latch on to Jane in their youth like I did. LOL
My book group had the same experience. It was interesting, though, because we all enjoyed this book for different reasons. It was a universal hit though. This is not a common occurrence in our opinionated club!
This seems like a great book -- definitely will be checking it out!
Also, PERSUASION is arguably my favorite Jane Austen's novel after PRIDE AND PREJUDICE. I can't wait to read what you think about it. :)
I'm excited to read this one during my summer vacation. My friend bought it and just couldn't get into it.
Thanks for the review--I meant to read this a while ago but I haven't gotten around to it. I definitely am putting it on my short list now! Time to read some grown up books! :)
Abilene's relationship with Mae Mobley (? spelling, I listened to this on audio) was the sweetest thing, and the most heartbreaking.
*sputters* I must be living under a rock--I didn't know about Diana's new book. It sounds awesome! I think I'll follow on your coattails and read Persuasion, too!
As to the first commenter...Nope I have not read it either.
oh, it's sitting on my shelf. My mom got it for me for my birthday. Must read!
I loved The Help! I think my favorite character was Minny, too!
Oh my goshh. Diana Peterfreund is writing a post-apocalyptic version of Persuasion? *eek* I actually really liked Persuasion, so I can't wait to see what her version will be like!
Happy reading(:
I am Staci's (Life in the Thumb) friend who just couldn't get into this book. I tried reading it, but I just couldn't get into it. Maybe after Staci reads it I will try it again. Maybe I just wasn't in the mood for it I don't know. I really wanted to like it since everyone else seems to. Glad all of you liked it though!
I have this book on my shelf, and have been reading nothing but good things about it! I am so anxious to read it, but I hope it lives up to the hype!! Glad your club loved it!!
I am dying for this to become a movie!!! That is the first thing I thought when I finished this book is "When's the movie coming out?"
I still have to read this one : it's everywhere! I have it on my ereader, but I'm not sure when I'll get to it.
I am giving away a copy on my blog this week.
http://polwig.com/home/need-a-good-read-here-is-the-help/
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