Book Review The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Book review The Help

Here is an illustrative tale of what it was like to be a black maid during the civil rights movement of the 1960s in racially conflicted Mississippi.

There is deep history in the black/white relationship and this story beautifully shows the complex spectrum, not only the hate, abuse, mistrust, but the love, attachment, dependence.

The story is strong and real and touched something deep inside me. I could so relate to the motherly love, see that pain in a love triangle and understand the complexity of the good and bad, the love and hate, the fear and security. Kathryn Stockett captured all these emotions aptly for me as a reader.

The novel is about a white woman secretly compiling true accounts of black maids–and the novel is in essence a white author trying to understand black maids. The styles parallel each other as do the messages.

It’s a book we should give our tweens and teens to read. As it is relatable for Pakistanis like us, most of whom grew up privileged to have help around and this can assist our kids to empathize what the relation with our beloved household staff really is like for both ends.

An emotional read which can be followed up with the movie!