Book 5-The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Wow..all I can say is wow, for this book. I never thought I would want to read this book...ever. The Help has no serial killers, vampires, werewolves, splattered brains/innards, and no blood..well maybe a little. Not exactly the genre of my choice, but with all the hype around the book my curiosity got the best of me and I picked it up.

The Help is the story of 3 women. Aibileen, Skeeter, and Minny...3 woman who have the times and their homelife to contend with, but who strive to do better for themselves and their families.

Aibileen is a middle age black woman in 1962 Jackson, Mississippi, who has spent her whole life as a maid for white families. She has struggled with harsh treatment from her employers, loving the children she has brought up knowing they will eventually forget her and harbor the same feeling as their parents: "Black folk aren't equal to White folk"

Minny is another middle aged black woman, who is Aibileens best friend. The two have confided in each other about their employers, the good , the bad and the ugly. Minny is a strong woman, is an amazing cook, with a sassy tongue unafraid to tell anyone where to go and how to get there. This has caused many of her white employers to fire her, and start rumors around the town regarding her work ethic and her integrity.

Skeeter is a young white woman who has just returned from college, and would like to pursue a career in the area of writing or editing, but she is shunned due to the fact she has no husband. After witnessing how black people are treated Skeeter wants to create awareness about the atrocities being committed against Blacks, in Jackson and all over the country.

After contacting a publisher about a job opportunity, Skeeter comes up with an idea to write a book about the things maids are going through working with their white families. She teams up with Aibileen initially to write this book, but eventually gets the help of Minny and other maids, who are combating the fear of being caught to tell their story.

This book was amazing, it grabbed me right from the first page and kept me wanting to read it. Not having lived in 1962, I had no idea the trials of the African American people. Not only was this a heartwarming, and sometimes heartwrenching story, it opened my eyes to how life really was.

From someone who would not normally read a book such as this, I am telling all of you to go out and get this book, sit down with a coffee, tea, or a stiff drink and immerse yourself into these 3 womens story. You will not be disappointed.

Closing the doors of the Crypt library for now...Til next time all my little minions!