the help was written by the American author Kathryn Stockett. It's based in the 1960's in southern America and focuses on the race issues in Mississippi. The 60's in Jackson, Mississippi is still a segregated society with strict laws and rules on what the black community can and cannot do.
The Help tells the story of a white woman, Skeeter, as she tries to become a successful author by writing a book from the point of view of the black help in Jackson. In a time when even talking to black people was shunned, Skeeter joins forces with two black maids Aibileen and Minny to write a book revealing the life of the help in Jackson.
this book is told in alternative view points so the reader gets all sides of the story and really helps to explain, especially to younger generations, the day to day struggles African-American people had to endure up to as late as the 1960's.
living in a completely ethnically diverse community, I find it hard to believe that anyone could treat another human as unfairly as black people were treated in America during the time this book is set. The Help really creates a clear and detailed picture in my mind of how society used to treat non-white people and the alternative view points allows an even stronger image to form in my mind.
I found this book such a good portrayal of the struggles of the black community in southern America in the 20th century and was really engaging. With many teary-eyed moments it's not for the faint hearted but over all an informative and up lifting book, really enjoyed reading it. Would recommend to anyone interested in African-American history or anyone looking for something a bit different to your usual holiday read.
happy reading
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