The Help by Kathryn Stockett: Not Much Separates Us

I finished reading The Help. By the time I got to page 418 and read this sentence, I knew that this was the essence of the entire novel: "We are just two people. Not that much separates us. Not nearly as much as I'd thought." This was confirmed by the writer in her own words in the back section of the book titled, Too Little Too Late. I figured that the character Skeeter had elements of the author herself and that the character of Constantine may have been her real life domestic helper. Turns out that the writer's real life domestic helper was a little bit like Minny, the fabulous cook with the abusive husband, and a little bit like Aibileen who constantly gave her charge, Mae Mobley, words of positive self affirmation.

I enjoyed the secrets and the truth-telling themes in this book. The secret of Constantine's departure was not as scandalous as I had anticipated; it was more one of embarassment. I loved the stories that highlighted the relationships between the different characters: Skeeter and Stuart, Skeeter and her Mom, Miss Celia and Minny, Aibileen and Mae Mobley, Skeeter and Hilly.

I really enjoyed the storyline of this book.