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I do think that the main "mean" character was a bit over the top (BTW, she is mean to everyone, not just the black characters), and she got her "just desserts" so to say, but there is also a lot of the prejudice against *women* during that time too...that we were expected to get married, and have babies. The story is also about the main character going against everything that the culture was about at that time. She was white, going against what the other white characters believed, and going against what society "thought" she should do.

This is a story about going against what everyone else is doing...for both the white and black characters.

I would suggest the book over the movie...the book had much more depth to the story lines.

That's exactly my point. White women and black women might be more equal now, but back then, there was absolutely no question as to their equality on any front. To use that as a backdrop to compare their struggles is totally asinine. It's like "Springtime for Hitler."

I'm in the middle of this book and I must say that Veritas your "Springtime for Hitler" comment was brilliant. I really have found the different perspectives expressed here very interesting.

One more post, and I'll shut up (maybe). It can't be that bad of a book or movie, as it seems to be very popular, and I'm sure it resonates with some people. I just can't relate because my grandmothers were The Help. If I want to know what it was like, I can ask them, and I'm pretty sure that from their discussion of other things that it's a different story. It would be like me reading "Leeann Rimes and Eddie Cibrian: A Love Story."

I wouldn't call it bad. Just mass-market. It's accessible. It's politically pitch-correct. She made a good choice with her narrator - someone we all can identify with. Very Hollywood, though they would never dare to cast someone truly plain or awkward as Skeeter.

I saw the movie with my book club last night.

It translated well to film.

I wasn't a huge fan of the book, but the movie was okay.A little over-the-top with the characters, just like the book.

Definitely mass market.

I haven't read the book or seen the movie so I am confused. I thought that the books was written from the prespective of the help. I thought that the author actually talked to women who were the help? How can you write a book like that if you do not do the real research and speak to the real women who were the help during that time?

I guess from all the Hollywood hype I just thought that that was what the book was really about. Thought is was an honest book about how the help felt during those times.

Hope I am not offending anyone with my questions.

Loved the movie and now want to read the book.

I feel so out of sync sometimes and it really bothers me. I found this book dull and after several tries, gave up. I'm a really fast reader and usually read at least one and often two fiction books a weekend, with a nonfiction or biography or two going at all times through the work week. If a book isn't the right speed or tone for my mood, I put it down, read something else and come back to it. After a few tries I usually pass it along to one of my friends or family.

So many people loved and recommended this book and I really wanted to love it - I just couldn't get into it, couldn't really get to know or care about any of the characters or care what happened next. I don't mind slow moving books in the least, but this one seemed stultifying. I hate when that happens.

Wait, what small town in Mississippi still practices slavery? What was that comment about?

Haven't read it and haven't seen the movie, and don't plan on either.

But I do have to say some very, very popular books and movies aren't very good. I have learned that just because a movie/book are best sellers or big money makers mean they appeal to the masses, not that they are good.

slight t/j Veritas, I've read reviews from black women who felt the story was done extremely unwell and ignored so much of the reality of the times. end of t/j

And I think that's exactly my issue, Skye. Can you imagine if a white woman in the 1960's actually had interviewed her maid, written a book about it, and gone up against the Junior League??? In Jackson, Mississippi????? That book wouldn't have a Disney ending with feel good overtones. It's 2011, and Kathryn Stockett's own parents are not even speaking to her.

I don't know, maybe I'm missing some points her, but it's not like this book has been touted as non-fiction.

To me I enjoyed it - it was like the movie Titanic; not a true account or even completely historically accurate, but both were good for entertainment value.

Why aren't Stockett's parents talking to her?

Wait, what small town in Mississippi still practices slavery? What was that comment about?

http://www.finalcall.com/artman/publish/National_News_2/article_7125.shtml

I don't know, maybe I'm missing some points her, but it's not like this book has been touted as non-fiction.

That's one of my quirks as a reader: I can't read bad writing. I'll read any genre so long as I don't have to facepalm myself after every page. I find sloppy plots and lack of research annoying in the extreme, whether it's a thriller, mystery, romance novel -- whatever.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/lawsuit-black-maid-ablene-cooper-sues-author-kathryn/story?id=12968562&page=2

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