Inspiring.
Most summer novels I read tend to have romance because I can’t resist a good love story, but this book didn’t need a love story. The Help brings together some of the strongest literary women I’ve ever encountered, and it’s not all smiles and uplifting messages, it’s real. And as a reader, I appreciate the authenticity. I instantly fell in love with what would become my literary family. Spending time with frizzy Skeeter, mother-hen Aibileen, and firecracker Minny made me realize what it truely takes to create characters readers can relate to. Stockett knows these women inside and out, and it's clear in her articulate writing style that she loves them deeply and could probably tell you each of their favorite foods and how they like their coffee.
Stockett not only gives her audience characters to love and cheer for, but complex villians who you can't help but despise. Hilly Hollbrooke for instance. As a reader, I wished for 400 pages that a large piano would crush her on the hot Jackson pavement, but alas, it did not happen. This novel paints reality, and in reality, women like Hilly Hollbrooke tend get what they want. The maddening way she can take out an army of vapid 1960's housewives with a flicker of her bold lashes and severe gaze is revolting, and yet the strong females Stockett provides to counter Hilly's demon-like qualities give the readers reason to celebrate.
The Help is an instant classic. No mopey-dopey romance here. No pale sparkling vampires or magic wands to be found. No action sequences or aliens. The drama stems from the truth in the story and the boldness of its characters laced with harsh words exchanged from woman to woman, separated only by skin color.
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