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James's Reviews > The Help
The Help
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I read this book at least 4 years ago, before I began to more consistently use Goodreads... and now I'm going back to ensure I have some level of a review for everything I read. It's only fair... if the author took the time to write it, and I found a few hours to read it... I should share my views so others can decide if it's a good book for them.
That said... did anyone not love or like this book? I'll have to check out some other people's reviews... And I wonder how many people just watched the movie... Oh well... I'll keep this review short and not in my usual format, as probably everyone I'm friends with on here has already read it! :)
The only reason I'm not giving it a 5 is because I felt like some of the stories needed a better or stronger ending. I truly think it is a fantastic book, and it makes you really think about what happened in the not-so-distant past... and probably still happening in some parts of the country today. Scary thoughts, but in the end, at least the right people got something back they deserved, even if it wasn't as much as it should have been.
The characters are very clear and strong. And when there are upwards of 10 to 12 supporting or lead female characters, an author has to spend a tremendous amount of time creating distinct pictures in a readers mind. Stockett did a great job with this task. Each and every one shows you a different personality: leaders and followers, movers and shakers, smart and silly, strong and weak, tolerant and intolerant, thirsty for all the world has to offer and content to stay the same for an entire lifetime.
When a writer can shuffle this many people throughout a story, they have invested themselves into the book, the characters, the setting, the theme, the future.
I haven't read anything else by this author, but just thinking about this book, and realizing I haven't looked at her other works makes me want to run to her profile now and pick one. Perhaps that's what I'll go do!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
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That said... did anyone not love or like this book? I'll have to check out some other people's reviews... And I wonder how many people just watched the movie... Oh well... I'll keep this review short and not in my usual format, as probably everyone I'm friends with on here has already read it! :)
The only reason I'm not giving it a 5 is because I felt like some of the stories needed a better or stronger ending. I truly think it is a fantastic book, and it makes you really think about what happened in the not-so-distant past... and probably still happening in some parts of the country today. Scary thoughts, but in the end, at least the right people got something back they deserved, even if it wasn't as much as it should have been.
The characters are very clear and strong. And when there are upwards of 10 to 12 supporting or lead female characters, an author has to spend a tremendous amount of time creating distinct pictures in a readers mind. Stockett did a great job with this task. Each and every one shows you a different personality: leaders and followers, movers and shakers, smart and silly, strong and weak, tolerant and intolerant, thirsty for all the world has to offer and content to stay the same for an entire lifetime.
When a writer can shuffle this many people throughout a story, they have invested themselves into the book, the characters, the setting, the theme, the future.
I haven't read anything else by this author, but just thinking about this book, and realizing I haven't looked at her other works makes me want to run to her profile now and pick one. Perhaps that's what I'll go do!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by.
[polldaddy poll=9719251]
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The Help.
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Reading Progress
January 7, 2012
– Shelved
February 11, 2012
–
Started Reading
July 9, 2012
–
Finished Reading
March 11, 2017
– Shelved as:
1-fiction
Comments Showing 1-34 of 34 (34 new)
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message 1:
by
Denise
(new)
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rated it 5 stars
Apr 18, 2017 03:45PM
LOVED this book. Read twice. My favorite characters were Minnie & Celia. I read in an interview with Stockett that when writing the book, she envisioned no one other than Octavia Spencer as Minnie. Dreams do come true. Great review James.
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Great book! I liked the movie as well.
Denise wrote: "LOVED this book. Read twice. My favorite characters were Minnie & Celia. I read in an interview with Stockett that when writing the book, she envisioned no one other than Octavia Spencer as Minnie...." Thank you. I want to read it again. I didn't know that about Octavia...
Cheri wrote: "Great book! I liked the movie as well." Yes, paired well together.
Excellent review James.
Kenny wrote: "Excellent review James." Thank you, Sir!
I loved the book, but I did want more of an ending.
Shaina wrote: "I loved the book, but I did want more of an ending."understandable
Deanna wrote: "Great review!"Thx!
I liked this book a lot! Great review
Katherine wrote: "I liked this book a lot! Great review" It's been a while since I've had a book really have that huge of an impact. Lots of great books, but this one had such powerful influence over the immediate days after.
i heard the audiobook which I think made me love it even more! I have to admit it made me tear up a bit towards the end. i felt the same way about the ending.
Julio wrote: "i heard the audiobook which I think made me love it even more! I have to admit it made me tear up a bit towards the end. i felt the same way about the ending."Amazing how hearing it on tape can bring those reactions. I really need to give it a chance.... listening to books.
James wrote: "Julio wrote: "i heard the audiobook which I think made me love it even more! I have to admit it made me tear up a bit towards the end. i felt the same way about the ending."Amazing how hearing it..."
Do it James. I've been listening to Audible.com since 2004. I have listened to hundreds of books. Aside from my music, I listen to books on my commute to work almost daily. And sometimes while cooking, doing chores, or exercising, I listen. I read in all forms. If you are a member of Audible, it's cheaper to buy an audiobook than the physical copy. And if you really hate the audiobook you bought, you can return it. But if you want more info, PM me. It is a painless process and I've never had a problem with them. :)
Denise wrote: "James wrote: "Julio wrote: "i heard the audiobook which I think made me love it even more! I have to admit it made me tear up a bit towards the end. i felt the same way about the ending."Amazing ..." I appreciate it. I have about 20 books on my back-log to read right now, but as soon as I get thru those, I am going to pick up a couple to try on audio. I worry a bit that I might get distracted but until I try it, I'll never know.
" I appreciate it. I have about 20 books on my back-log to read right now, but as soon as I get thru those, I am going to pick up a couple to try on audio. I worry a bit that I might get distracted but until I try it, I'll never know."That is true, some people's attention cannot be held with an audiobook, but not most. I know some people like that. If you want a truly FREE book, I can send you Red Rising!!!!! Or any other I have. LOL. There is no hard sell....trust me on this. When you are ready.
Denise wrote: "" I appreciate it. I have about 20 books on my back-log to read right now, but as soon as I get thru those, I am going to pick up a couple to try on audio. I worry a bit that I might get distracted..."You are awesome. I will be getting back to you soon. I did want to read that one.
Thank you James for your review. I was in the same position. I gave it five stars when I read it and I remember the book well but I apparently didn't bother writing a review. When I first joined, I posted a lot of books that I truly loved but i had read them so long ago that i didn't give them reviews. The Help was not one of them, so I'm not sure why there is no review. I'll have to go back, like your did, and do it justice.
Pamela wrote: "Thank you James for your review. I was in the same position. I gave it five stars when I read it and I remember the book well but I apparently didn't bother writing a review. When I first joined, I..."I've heard a few folks on here who have lost reviews that magically disappear on occasion. Maybe you did write it! :)
Looking forward to see what you end up putting in it when you do finally write the new one. Ha!
I listened to this as an audiobook on a cross-country drive - the voicing was fantastic!
I can imagine the dialect!
The audiobook is really amazing!
Tiffany - good to know
I've seen the film and really enjoyed it, but not read the book yet. But I think it's still really relevant for today.
I have been meaning to retro-review as well. I was just giving stars when I started using Goodreads
It’s hard to catch up sometimes!
I have the audiobook and have seen the movie so many times, James.Which do you prefer and why?
I need to do my review for this.
Hi Katherine. So sorry. Never saw the notification on this one.
I think the movie for some reason. Not usually the case.
