Annotated Bibliography "The Help"

Stockett, Kathryn. The Help. New York: Amy Einhorn, 2009. Print. (pg. 524/524)

The last book I chose to read for this class was “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. I saw the movie in March and have wanted to read the book for quite sometime. Unfortunately the book was on a 10 day check out and I knew no matter how great it was I probably would not finish it in time with my busy schedule. Finally one day as I was roaming the library for a book I discovered that “The Help” was off the limited check out list and got the book. Since I saw the movie and thought it was amazing, I was a little skeptical on how the book could live up to it. But, like always, the book was way better than the movie.  In the first couple of pages I was instantly hooked and could not put it down. Every time I had free time in school or at home I would read the book. I knew how the story progressed because of watching the movie but as I continued reading I discovered parts left out of the film which made the book all the more interesting. 

The book takes place in Jackson, Mississippi around the early 60’s. Every couple of chapters the writer, Kathryn Stockett, switches between the three main characters, Minnie, Abileen and Skeeter, to tell their part in the story. This was not confusing at all because the chapter’s title reveals when it is switching characters. Since the story takes place in the south, there are sentences with southern words and accents. This was most noticeable with the maids, Minnie and Abileen. They had very little education, when they spoke it was not always proper grammar. For example when Abileen says “I guess he know he done lost this one before it even started.” or Minnie saying “Them peaches from Mexico.”  Over all, though, these southern sentences were not that challenging and easierto  pick up what they were trying to say. The book wasn’t an easy read but it thought I would be more challenging than it really was. This could be because I enjoyed it so much. 

If anybody ever needed a book to read I would highly recommend “The Help”. I would advise you that if you didn’t see the movie and want to, to watch the movie first. I feel if I read the book first, I would have been disappointed with how it turned out. I have to say though that “The Help” both the book and movie are on my top 5 of favorite book and movie list.
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