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In case you've forgotten your civil rights history, Jackson, Mississippi is where civil rights leader Medgar Evers was shot to death in front of his house in 1963.
This racially-charged time provides a rich setting for Kathryn Stockett's fictional debut.
The story is told through the eyes of three narrators. Aibilene and Minny are the help of the book's title. Skeeter Phelan is a recent graduate of Ole Miss living with her parents on a cotton farm. She's an aspiring writer, and a New York City publisher has encouraged her to write about what bothers her. Skeeter chooses the controversial topic of how the white women of Jackson treat their black maids.
While this could be heavy subject matter "The Help" is written with a light touch. Skeeter, Minny and Aibilene's voices are upbeat, confidant, and intimate.
In this scene, for example, Aibilene tells Minny about Skeeter's book idea. These two black maids and best friends aren't sure they want to get involved:
"I told her, let the regular old history books tell it. White people been representing colored opinions since the beginning a time."
"That's right. You tell her."
"I did. I tell her she crazy," Aibileen says. "I ask her, what if we told the truth? How we too scared to ask for minimum wage. How nobody gets paid they Social Security. How it feel when your own boss be caling you…"
Aibileen shakes her head. I'm glad she doesn't say it.
"How we love they kids when they little…" she says, and I see Aibileen's lip tremble a little.
"And then they turn out just like they mamas."
I look down and see Aibileen's gripping her black pocketbook like it's the only thing she has left in this world. Aibileen, she moves on to another job when the babies get too old and stop being color-blind. We don't talk about it.
The humilities Aibileen and Minny experience are presented without forceful point-making, rather with subtlety to make us feel uncomfortable about the lines drawn between the races – such as when Aibilene's employer builds a separate bathroom for her in the garage.
We're also drawn into a dichotomy of prejudice and love between maids and the white children they take care of. It's a part of Aibilene's story that is moving and very skillfully explored.
Aibileen, Minny and their friends eventually agree to participate in Skeeter's book. The fear of discovery inserts an edge of worry that rumbles beneath the plot's scenes of conniving southern housewives. Also, Skeeter's romance with a conservative senator's son is put at risk.
I enjoyed this book on many levels, especially for its even narrative pacing and blend of fictional and historical events. Being a child of the 60's I also got a big kick out of Stockett's references to the decade's advertising jingles, TV shows, magazines, women's fashions, and those unforgettable songs.
Driving home from a Junior League meeting one night, Skeeter turns on the radio to Lesley Gore's 1963 pop chart hit... "It's My Party."
Stockett's inspiring characters hold fast to their courage and beliefs. She concludes their story leaving us to wonder about Minny and Aibilene's futures – it's a satisfying ending to this terrific book because it's realistic.
"The Help" by Kathryn Stocket is published by G. P. Putnam's Sons. The audio book is published by Penguin Audio. I'm Kassie Rose.
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