The Help follows three women, two Black maids and one White woman in Mississipi in the racially heated 1960’s. It is well written and full of emotion. I really enjoyed reading their stories and read it in one sitting. I was a little concerned about a White author talking in a Black voice but Stockett does a fairly good job and addresses the issue in the author’s afterward. I feel the book could have been a little more well researched if it wants to qualify as historical fiction. The inconsistencies didn’t take away from the story though. The characters were great and following their struggles and injustices was very moving. I thought there might be more of an intense climax, but I think it strikes the right tone. It is a great debut novel and I would recommend it for anyone who loves chick lit historical fiction.
2 Comments
You know, when I saw the reviews of this book I thought, yes, I’m going to read a novel with some substance, not just chick lit. But then in the review you said there were historical inconsistencies and that is was historical fiction chick lit. I got to tell you, I’m a bit let down by that description. I still want to read it though, I’ll just have to adjust my expectations.
Hmm, how do I answer that. The historical inconsistencies were small; the black panthers weren’t in existence yet in the time period of the novel, and I just thought if the author was trying to portray authentic vernacular with the black characters she should have also included authentic speech and slang of white women in the South at that time. These aren’t deal breakers and it still qualifies as historical fiction.
It is a female author writing about three female character’s emotional struggles and friendships. What part of that doesn’t sound like chick lit? By the way, there is nothing wrong with chick lit. I just didn’t get the impression it was written with men as the target audience.
You should definitely still read it, I would totally recommend it.