book review: the help.

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So back in January I thought “Oh, I so have to review The Help!” And here we are, about to welcome April, and I have yet to put pen to paper {or in this case, finger to key,} and write my thoughts on The Help. Oops. 

So here is my short synopsis and review of this 400-something-page monster of a book:

Wait, first I should mention a small disclaimer. It took me an unusually long time to finish this book. In the beginning {also known as the first 200 pages}, I was bored. I know, I know. I shouldn’t have been. The whole premise of the book was intriguing; but, in actuality, the book bored the heck out of me. ..at the beginning, that is. OK. Now that I’ve cleared the air… 

The Help is set in 1960s Jackson, Mississippi. Skeeter, a young white woman, recently returned home from college, takes upon a task to document the affluent white community’s ‘help’ in hopes of having her book published. She does so secretly, because local help takes care of many of Skeeters friends families and homes, as well as her own.

The story is told in multiple points of view, but Skeeter is, by all means, the most dominating point of view. The book, for me, started rather slowly. At the beginning it felt like there was too much jumping from one point of view to another. Because of this,I felt as if I was not properly getting attached to any of the characters.

Then came the exception: Skeeter Phelan. Out of nowhere {or so it seemed}, the author, Kathryn Stockett, began to really develop Skeeters character. In doing so, Skeeter’s interviews and stories with the maids, developed the rest of the characters in the book.

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I’ll say this: when the book got good, it got really, really good. I went from picking it up just to finish it, to not being able to set it down! 

I would definitely recommend this book, but know up front, it will take a little while for it to get good! And make sure you check out the book before it makes its way to the silver screen, starring Emma Stone!

PS. Remember that really awesome giveaway I mentioned? Well, it’s still on its way!