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A review by davinareads
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I first read The Help back in 2016, and revisiting it now, I can say that it still holds up as a compelling and emotional read.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters—they all have depth, and their relationships with one another, whether between the maids and their white employers or between the maids themselves, feel layered and real. The way each maid was treated differently added nuance to the story, showing the harsh realities of race and class in 1960s Mississippi.
The tension nearing the end had me flipping pages faster, and while the buildup was slow, once the story found its rhythm, it became hard to put down. I also appreciated how the book tackled such a complex subject in a way that was digestible yet powerful. It highlighted the flaws of the time while still managing to leave a sense of hope for change. And, of course, the emotional moments still got to me—my eyes always leak at the sad parts.
That said, the slow start might not work for everyone, and the setting itself—Mississippi in the 1960s—naturally makes for an uncomfortable but necessary read.
Overall, The Help is a well-written, thought-provoking book that brings attention to the injustices of the past while telling a story filled with resilience, courage, and hope.
One of the book’s greatest strengths is its characters—they all have depth, and their relationships with one another, whether between the maids and their white employers or between the maids themselves, feel layered and real. The way each maid was treated differently added nuance to the story, showing the harsh realities of race and class in 1960s Mississippi.
The tension nearing the end had me flipping pages faster, and while the buildup was slow, once the story found its rhythm, it became hard to put down. I also appreciated how the book tackled such a complex subject in a way that was digestible yet powerful. It highlighted the flaws of the time while still managing to leave a sense of hope for change. And, of course, the emotional moments still got to me—my eyes always leak at the sad parts.
That said, the slow start might not work for everyone, and the setting itself—Mississippi in the 1960s—naturally makes for an uncomfortable but necessary read.
Overall, The Help is a well-written, thought-provoking book that brings attention to the injustices of the past while telling a story filled with resilience, courage, and hope.