After having a sudden wake up with an unexpected emergency operation recently which meant no driving and resting something as those who know me aren’t really easy for me, especially when I am still in the height of wedding season.
However, convalescing was assisted by the book ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett something that I just can’t put down and don’t want it to end, the sign of a great book. I really can’t wait till the movie hits the screens as it was recently on GMTV that I heard the interview with Kathryn Stockett and learnt about this book.
Why is The Help such a grabbing book?
The Help is set in Jackson, Mississippi in the USA and is all about coloured maids working for white ladies and raising the white children.
This is something I have experienced first hand having spent many years in South Africa and so I felt that I could relate to the stories.
Many of the journalists who have reviewed the book compare it to, ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ and say which I agree ‘that it is a compelling story that doubles as a portrait of a country struggling with racial issues’.
Some people who have read the book and added their own reviews say that they can’t get into the book due to the style of writing but I don’t see this as I feel like I am their in 1962, watching and listening to Aibileen and Skeeter and it is just amazing.
Some of you may find it barbaric that such segregation took place when you read the book, especially over the toilets and crockery but it happened. I remember only too well when I was a child visiting South Africa before apartheid that whites, blacks and coloured people had different beaches, toilets and even buses.
Well done Kathryn for capturing a most amazing book and I look forward to reading more of your books.
To all my friends you need to read this book.
