Everyone raved about The da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. It took me six months to read because I hated it. I kept reading because people kept telling me, “It’s slow in the middle. It will get better.” I read the last word of the final page and wondered, “When does it get better?”
People loved The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I thought it was a glorified romance novel, poorly written and a waste of my time. (The movie’s pretty good, though.)
So when people far and wide began recommending The Help by Kathryn Stockett, I felt wary. The title didn’t grab me. I walked into Borders one day, read the description on the back and thought, “Really?” It sounded dull and silly. It sounded like Stockett was trying too hard. In my mind, I put it in the same category as da Vinci and The Notebook.
Then I went to see a movie and there was a preview for a movie version of The Help. That preview gave a far better idea of what the book is actually about. It looked like something I might like, and last week, I went to Borders and bought the book. I started reading it on Monday afternoon and finished it forty-eight hours later. I was sad to finish it. It is one of those books you want to read forever because you so enjoy the world inside. The book deserves every sale and every positive review it’s received.
For those who haven’t read The Help, the plot is basically the experiences of black women in the Deep South at the start of the Civil Rights Movement. The white characters run the gamut from sympathetic to the movement to downright racist and evil. The author grew up in Jackson, Mississippi, the town in which she set the story. Jackson is the town where a white supremacist shot Civil Rights activist Medgar Evers in his driveway in the back of the head. That man did not face justice for that 1962 crime until 1994. Stockett finds a way to thread that story into her own. Don’t judge this book by its cover, as I did. It’s so much better than that.
I always have a hard time pinning down a favorite anything because I love so many things. Movies, food, books, music … I can name a hundred I love equally and probably a hundred more if I really thought about it.
But I have to say The Help, right now, is a top contender. I finished it a week before the writing of this blog post (last week now). Tonight, I’m attending a book club meeting about it — I haven’t been to my book club in forever and they just happen to be talking about it tonight. Great timing!
I cannot stop thinking about it. I would pick it up and read it again, except I loaned it to a friend because her book club is discussing it this month. They decided to take three full weeks on it because of the length. I don’t think they’ll need three weeks to finish it. It’s one of those books you just can’t put down or wait to pick up again. I can’t wait to get it back.
I’ve lived in the Deep South for six years now. St. Marys, Georgia, is on the conservative side. Tallahassee’s very liberal. But the towns share a shameful past when it comes to racism. Thankfully, the places I’ve lived and the people I’ve known are open-minded, decent human beings and bigotry is not something I’ve experienced a lot of. Some, for certain. Some closer to home than makes me comfortable. But mostly, the people who live here now have learned their lesson.
What I do see is a white-washing (excuse the pun) of history when it comes to Civil Rights. Last month, the local newspaper ran an article about the May Day festivities that used to take place downtown. The festivities ended in the early 1970s, right around the time that African-Americans began participating — or were supposed to. I’m fuzzy on the details. The article insisted the festivities ended for entirely different reasons having nothing to do with race issues, and gave me the impression that the writer was trying to pretend race was never an issue for anything ever. We all know that’s not true.
They say that those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. Thank goodness for the keepers of the not-so-pretty history of the world who continue reminding us of the truth when so many prefer to forget. Or at least to re-write it.
I must, however, disagree with one reviewer who compared it favorably in race relations to To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee wrote Mockingbird in the middle of the worst of times in the Deep South, in the middle of Jim Crowe and attempts at desegregation. She took a chance Stockett didn’t and her purpose was to change the status quo rather than just reminding people that it was once that bad. It really was that bad in Lee’s time.
I completely agree that the history of racism isn’t portrayed truthfully, but conveniently. Not too long ago, The Freedom Riders was featured on PBS, and boy, that was a punch in the gut. It was almost hard to watch. It was documentary style, and had photos and accounts from the riders themsleves. It wasn’t “churched up” or “disney-fied” (excuse the terms)
I guess we, as a society, don’t want to offend…? (The irony!)
…and I HATED Wicked. I was the same way you were about ‘DaVinci’.I kept thinking “this gets better”. Nope. I even read ahead to pump myself up about what is coming. Nope. I never actually finished the book, but oh well. It looks nice on the shelf, and maybe one day I can lend it (give it) to someone who appreciates it.
Some of the things that went on were really, really awful. People need to face that. If you can’t admit to it, you can’t stop it from happening again.
** I should say “the history of racism isn’t portrayed truthfully, but conveniently for some (or few.”
Change comes very slowly. Humans seem to enjoy finding “reason” to feel superior to others.
I’m glad to hear the deep south is changing, but as a Canadian, I have an aversion to ever visiting it.
Peace.
Sybil
My boyfriend’s stepfather is Canadian and lives in the Deep South. It really isn’t what it used to be. It’s not much different than any other part of the country anymore.
I’m glad you didn’t have any spoilers in this post, as I’m reading “The Help” now. I wish I had more time to dive into it without interruption, but my school work takes precedence.
I always warn if there will be spoilers. 🙂
During and right after college, I hardly read anything not school related. There just wasn’t time!
I read a chapter at night right before bed. Last night I read a chapter and a half. So far, the summer hasn’t been too bad, homework wise. This weekend I have no homework, so I’ll finish the book pretty quickly. Starting in the fall I probably won’t have the time to read for enjoyment. Trying to get my pre-req’s done for a dual major.
I’ve been meaning to read it but the wait list for it at the library is WAY too long so I think I’m going to have to wait until the excitement wears off a little!
if you don’t know the story of Emmett Till, watch this film if you get the chance.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/till/filmmore/index.html
I know the story.
I want to see the movie and I had NO idea it was a book! This makes me SUPER excited about it!! yay!!
I LOVED The Help. I felt much like you. I didn’t want it to end.
And I got to see a sneak peek of the movie. Let me tell you, I loved it every bit as much as the book. It’s fantastic.