The Help

I have realized recently that I don't write reviews on books I didn't like. This is because if I don't like a book after the first 100 pages, I generally don't finish it. This leaves me feeling like I can't really write a review on it, because I didn't actually read it. I am going to try to do better and at least let you know about books I didn't enjoy.

Age Range: Adult

This book is set in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's. It follows three characters, Minny and Aibileen who are black maids and Skeeter who is a white girl who has just graduated from college. Skeeter is jobless, single and going crazy at home. Minny and Aibileen are essentially slaves who get to go home at night and are paid just barely enough to keep a roof over their heads. Both of the women they work for are a little crazy and not so bright in their own unique ways.

Skeeter is trying to jump start her career in writing and decides to write a book about the experiences of the maids in Jackson. She realizes that these maids raise the children and as children they all adore their maid. And then they grow up and treat them like dirt.

The book details her experiences in trying to write the book and the effects that it has on her life and the lives of those involved, particularly Minny and Aibileen.

Yes, this is one of those books that I gave up on after 100 pages. However, I was interested enough that I skimmed the rest of the book and read the ending. If you are interested in civil rights, this would probably be a more interesting read. I'm not anti-civil rights or anything, it's just not my favorite time period to read novels about. There were some interesting stories, I just found the book to be really slow and was not satisfied with the ending.

Recommendation: If you're bored, go ahead and read it.