The Help - Part 1

In case you are just tuning in, I just finished reading "A Tale of Two Cities" and now I'm on to book number 2 for my novel reading month. The next book I've decided to read is one that I've been hearing/seeing a lot of good things about and therefore, I'm very curious to learn more . . .the book is: "The Help". I'm hoping that many more of you will have read this one and will have comments for me :)

This is quite a switch from "A Tale of Two Cities" to say the least. Not only am I switching settings, the style of writing in this book is very different . . .the "Southern drawl" is going to take a bit of getting used to.

Chapter 1

• We are introduced to Aibileen, the colored help of young Miss Leefolt. Aibileen does all the housework, and also raises Miss Leefolt's daughter, Mae Mobley (what a strange name). Miss Leefolt has a friend named Miss Skeeter who appears to be sympathetic to Aibileen instead of apathetic, like the other white women. 

Chapter 2

• The Leefolts build a separate "colored bathroom" that Aibileen has to use. Segregation is prevalent and the whites are afraid they will catch some dangerous diseases by sharing a bathroom with their colored help. 
• Aibileen tries to help her friend Minny find a job after she is fired from  her previous position.

Chapter 3

• Minny gets a job working for Miss Celia. Aibileen slyly helped her get this job, because no one else will hire Minny after what Miss Hilly (Minny's previous employer) is telling all the ladies in town about Minny.
• While working for Miss Celia, Minny has the funny experience of trying to clean a giant stuffed bear, this was a very humorous section. I like Minny . . .she has spunk.

Chapter 4

• Minny is working in secret for Miss Celia because Miss Celia doesn't want her husband (Mr. Johnny) to know that she needs any help with the housework. This seems strange to me . . .there's something fishy going on here. Do you think Minny will get caught?

Chapter 5

• We learn that Miss Skeeter was raised by her colored maid Constantine and they were very good friends. It turns out that Constantine's father was a white man, but Constantine doesn't really look like it. There are many secrets surrounding why Constantine doesn't work for Miss Skeeter's family anymore. 
• Skeeter wants to be a writer, but her mother wants her to get married, like all the other girls her age. Skeeter was one of the only girls in her circle of friends not to drop out of college to get married, but to continue through graduation. Which path do you think Skeeter will take? 

Well, so far so good. The first few chapters have just been an introduction to the characters and the situation in Mississippi regarding racial tensions. I think I'm finally starting to get used to how this book is written. So, how many of you have read this book or seen the movie?