Book Review: The Help by Kathryn Stockett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Borrowed.
I put off reading this and put off reading this. I don’t read much modern fiction; I had read such conflicting reports: wonderful book, the narrative falls apart, unrealistic fantasy … But, my book club chose it, so I had to do it.
I’ve been working on it slowly this week, then read most of it yesterday. Bawled through a lot of it last night.
It was an interesting story, several portions difficult to believe, several sorry to believe, several horrifying and the fear palpable. It was not a particularly nuanced or subtle tale, she wanted the reader to get the point that people are people and that but for the grace of God there go I.
I hate the device of changing the character who tells a story. Especially if the change isn’t obvious. I think Stockett did a good job of giving each character a distinct voice, but constantly changing first person confuses me.
There were some loose tails that I would’ve loved to see tied up. I liked seeing a woman of faith so prominently well-portrayed. I could have done without the love story, while it did some to advance the plot, it wasn’t necessary and solely played on emotion, IMO.
Overall, I’m glad to have read it. Now I can go to book club whenever we schedule it 🙂