Friday 56 & Book Beginnings: The Help


Mae Mobley was born on an early Sunday morning in August, 1960.  A church baby we like to call it. Taking care a white babies, that's what I do, along with all the cooking and cleaning. I done raised seventeen kids in my lifetime. I know how to get them babies to sleep, stop crying, and go in the toilet bowl before they mamas even get out a bed in the morning.
- p. 1


For Friday 56:
"Mama," I say, just wanting to end this conversation, "would it really be so terrible if I never met a husband?"
- p. 56 

Ok. I'm a day late. But this is a good one, believe me. Remember this post about me wanting to read the books which were turned into movies for the 2011 Oscars? I borrowed a copy of The Help off a friend and I ... just .. couldn't ... put this down! I laughed, I cried, I was shocked and I rooted for them. And it made me think how easy we have it, despite there are still being traces of racism in everyday life.


Here's the back cover blurb of The Help by Kathryn StockettEnter a vanished and unjust world: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. Where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver... There's Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son's tragic death; Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue; and white Miss Skeeter, home from College, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared. Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. No one would believe they'd be friends; fewer still would tolerate it. But as each woman finds the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another. Each is in a search of a truth. And together they have an extraordinary story to tell...

***

If you've watched the movie, then you know it's an amazing movie. While funny, it is based on truth in the not-so-distant past and it captures it all with amazing acting.  I highly recommend both the book and the movie. 

15 comments

  1. I read the book right before the film came out and I loved them both!

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    1. i wasn't really expecting to like it as much as i did. i'm always a little wary if there's a lot of hype!

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    1. i felt the same way after watching the movie!

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  3. I keep meaning to read the book. Haven't seen the movie. Good pick

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  4. You make me want to read the book, which I've been avoiding because of the hype.

    Thanks for participating in Book Beginnings!

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    1. hype smype ;) sometimes there is some good reason for the hype, and this is one of those cases.

      i'm looking forward to more book beginnings!

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    2. Good to know! I'm sure my book club will pick it one day soon. It seems like a book club kind of book.

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  5. I still haven't seen the movie, but I really enjoyed the book. My 56:
    http://wcs53.wordpress.com/2012/04/06/the-friday-56/

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    1. thanks william - i hope you enjoy the movie too!

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  6. I've wanted to read this forever!!! I definitely have to get my hands on a copy.....thanks for sharing :)

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  7. i popped by your blog and couldn't seem to get a comment through! vicki it looks like you'll be able to read this one very soon!

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  8. Wow. I'm in love with both lines. Sounds like I need to read or listen to this one.

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© guiltless readingMaira Gall