The Help, Book Club Discussion

[Gfilm]

Cleanplate send me some White chocolate mocha!

Ok so I have been reading it alot, not done (I was so busy) but I am really impressed with it.

I really like how the author depicts the different relationships and subplots of each relationship: Skeeter and her mother, Skeeter and Hilly, Skeeter and the black maids, Skeeter and Stuart Whitworth.

Ultimately though, this is about how a single person can make a difference and I like that.

[Ceebee62]

Pumpkin spice latte for me

I agree Gfilm -- no matter how big the problem, one person can do something and make a difference.

I'm so impressed and moved with the courage of those who fought to make a difference back in the '60's. It's one of those things that I know/read about, but never really experienced as I was just a toddler. Having to live in fear for you and your families lives, beatings, losing your job, house, etc. I mean, I still can't believe how African Americans were treated; so cruel and demeaning. Reminds me of the current day struggles and the discrimination of gay and lesbian people. I'm hopeful that sexual preference will no no longer be an issue in the future.

"The sun is bright but my eyes is wide open."

Hope everyone has a great evening -- try and catch you all later tonight

[D00dlebugs78]

How far are you guys in the book? I'm on 26 now. If you have not gotten this far use caution when reading further as I may spoil some things.

...........................

I was LOL last night about the toilets in Hilly's yard and the pecker pie story. This book has taken me through all emotions. Anger, empathy, warmth, and mostly a realization that as hard as it is to step outside your comfort zone and stand up for your beliefs, to do so is neccessary for growth and change.

I was born in 78 so I did not see the segregation in those days. It was part of our studies at school of course but it all seemed like it was so long ago. To read such personal accounts as an adult and think how not so long ago this actually was, brings me such sadness. We have come a long way thanks to people like Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr., Thurgood Marshall, and many many others. But we still in my opinion have a ways to go. Prejudice still exist in both whites and blacks today though for different reasons. Many black people still have a deep seeded anger and fear from the past and understandably so pass it on to their children. I think sometimes this comes off to some whites as oversensitivity. But if you really look at history from their stand point you can certainly understand where that comes from. Its hard for some young people to grasp when they have never lived in this time period
(which is why I am giving this to my step daughter when I finish reading). As for White people who did experience this history I cannot fathom what was going through their minds. There is absolutely nothing that I can come up with that would help me understand how anyone could treat another human being this way.

My favorite characters:

Aibileen
What a wonderful woman. The way she simplifies things for better understanding, especially with Mae Mobley, is fascinating to me. I love the way she cares so much for her. She recognizes that a child is innocent to prejudices and she is trying instill a caring for people regardless of color before her mom is able to brainwash her. I guess that's why she moves on when the child gets a older.

Minnie
Such an interesting character to me. She seems so strong and yet she goes home and has to endure her husbands abuse. I am glad to see that the walls she has up concerning Skeeter and Mrs. Celia are beginning to come down. Between Minnie and Aibileen I can't decide which character I enjoy more.


So much more to write but I will have to come back later on.


PS:Has anyone heard anything more from JD?






I stepped away and realized I needed to add something. Ceebee you mentioned the struggles with those who are gay. I always thought that to compare the struggles of African Americans to those of same sex orientation was wrong. Not that I ever thought they are not discriminated against b/c I don't think anyone could argue that they are not. But I just never thought the comparison was close to the hardships African Americans have endured. UNTIL I read Aibileen's account of little Johnny? I think was his name? That broke my heart and made me realize that Yes absolutely some do have the same experiences. That was very enlightening and heartbreaking for me. I have always had a compassion towards gays b/c of some very special friendships and I have seen discrimination but not at the level described in the book. That was so awful!

[Gfilm]

I have not heard/received email from JD...any of you? Poor JD and family and Niobe.

On your post...Doodles, I think I agree with you on that.

Although several of my good friends are gay, they were never told they have to use gay only bathrooms, or only gay water fountains etc.

However, I think in this generation, perhaps this is the only situation of comparison that can be use maybe.

I have never seen my friends discriminated against in person and I hope never to see it, because if I am there, it won't be pretty lol.

I am trying to think of how I would have been back in those days of the book The Help...

I am hoping I would have been very vocal but probably "hoping" to do it in the classy way its done in The Help.

I am far into the book but not that far lol. Still have reading.

[D00dlebugs78]

Godiva the last I heard from JD was great news Niobe was getting stronger . That was earlier this week. I was wondering if anyone had heard since.

I know we all like to think we would have been the person to speak up during that time and do something. I'm sure many felt that way back then but did nothing out of fear for themselves and their family. Thank the Lord there were strong individuals that did take that stand.

I have no doubt you would have Godiva

....and yes I am the same way with my friends. I'm very protective!

[Melaniep]

Like everybody else, I absolutely loved this book and couldn't put it down. From the first chapter, Abileen had me laughing out loud because some of her thoughts and her way of speaking them were just unexpected at first. I think there was amazing character development in this book, especially in Minny, but in Abileen, Skeeter, and Celia as well. When the women were waiting to see what kind of reaction the book would get, and waiting for Hilly to read the last chapter, I swear I held my breath waiting for that scream right along with Minny.

[Murphym]

I cherished The Help but have to confess that I didn’t get hooked on it right from the start and actually started the book over at some point. I believe this was because of the way of the lettering with regards to accents which sent me off a bit but once I started it again, I couldn’t put it down.
Thought it was a huge tale and truly related with Skeeter and her feelings.

[Gfilm]

Well, I am on the last chapter guys.


I will hang on for those still reading.

And yes, at first it throw me off with the dialect spellings but it was reflective.

I really love this story, it shows courage and bravery and being a person who can make a difference.

[Mars]

I'm getting to the last few chapters, now. As a person who was ten years old in 1962, I remember a lot of this. I didn't live in the South but there was plenty of discrimination in my part of the country. I vowed that when I grew up, everyone would be treated with kindness and respect and there would be no treating of people poorly because they may look different or talk different than me. I raised my children that same way. I'm happy to say my children do not embrace this backwoods thinking that some hold onto, today.

It's a charming book and quite different from what I'm used to reading. I'm usually a crime/drama/mystery novel enthusiast. This one has made me laugh and want to cry. Going to finish it this weekend, for sure.

Been distracted by other things this week and the news of Baby Niobe has made me a little sad. If anyone never believed a person's heart could be touched by the news of someone you never knew, they couldn't be more wrong. After months of anticipation for Jd's delivery and then the news of Niobe's struggles and ultimately the news that she didn't make it, is heartbreaking. Life really has a peculiar way turning on a dime. ♥

[Ceebee62]

Evening everyone -- feeling a little melancholy tonight. Thinking about all the lives lost on 9/11, just reread some posts from the view site and here about JD and little Niobe and how fragile our lives are.

Thinking about the book and how horrible people can be to other people because they are different. Whether it's the color of your skin, sexual preference, religion, weight, physical and mental disabilities, etc. there's so much hatred, discrimination, racism, bigotry, intolerance in our world, past and present.

I'm hopeful that there are so many of us who encourage our children to celebrate the differences among us. Thanks for listening, sorry for being so gloomy. Hope you all have a blessed day tomorrow.

[Cleanplate]

Hello everyone. I haven't finished the book yet. Hopefully we have much to talk about. I'm loving Skeeter. She's a total nerd & not anything like her girlfriends. She's kind of ahead of her time, isn't she. She's also kinder to the help than her mom or her friends. I like Mini too. She's gutsy. That must have taken her a lot of courage to do that.

I'm glad to see you've changed your mind about comparing gay rights to the civil rights of African Americans Godiva. Gays have been beaten & murdered by homophobic thugs for far too long. We have to stand up for the rights of people, don't we!

[Gfilm]

Well, I finished the book today.

Let me know how far along everyone is.

**hugs**

[Cleanplate]

Hi Godiva good for you. I'm going to settle in tonight & read. I have wine & I'll put my jammies on........it's been a long week!

I see you change your name on the View MB. I couldn't log on for some strange reason, so I changed my ID again as well. I wasn't access denied. The Mb just said there was another user with my ID...go figure.

Talk to you soon!

[Ceebee62]

Evening all -- haven't heard from anyone in a while. Did everyone enjoy The Help? Favorite character? Thoughts?

Does anyone have any plans/suggestions for our next book? I just finished the second two books of The Hunger Games. They were pretty good. Looking for another good book to get into.

Hope everyone is having a great evening --

[Gfilm]

We could do my fave and I would be soooo excited: Game of Thrones

But yes, I loved The help so much. Clean did you finish yet?

Btw good news:

We�ll be right back...
The View site is currently under maintenance. We will be back shortly. Thank you for your patience.


I am hoping this means all my emails and complaints went somewhere as well is other people's.