What I'm reading: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

 

I know I was a little late getting around to reading this book, but I just couldn't not write about it. If you haven't yet had a chance to read The Help, I definitely recommend it.
 
The Help is set in Jackson, Mississippi in the early 60s, when racial segregation was accepted and encouraged. It follows Skeeter Phelan, a motivated and hopeful journalist, as she attempts to write a book based on the stories of a group of "coloured" women in Jackson and the relationships they have with the women they work for, something dangerous and absolutely unheard of at this time.
 
There are three narrators in the story, the driven writer, Skeeter, Aibileen Clark, a character you can't help but love, and the feisty and opinionated Minny Jackson. Sometimes I find books told from multiple perspectives frustrating, but it really worked in this novel as the lives of the women are all so different. I find it really helps you get a better understanding of each of their situations in a way that a single narrator would not.
 
I love the characters in this book. The relationships and interactions between them is very well written, I find this book both heart breaking and heart warming at different points. Stockett has well and truly shown the vast spectrum of human behaviour, from the cruel and undignified, to the kind and generous. I think that's what I like most about the story.
 
Now I'm settling in for the night with a pot of tea to watch the movie, which I am very excited about, I think Emma Stone is just beautiful and I think she will make a wonderful Skeeter Phelan.
 
The next thing on my to-do list is to find some good books to take with me on my holiday. Do you have any recommendations? I usually like to have two books on the go at once, something light hearted and easy to read, and something a little more challenging so I can choose depending on my mood. I would love to hear about what you've been reading!
 
Zoe xx