The Help, Book Club Discussion

[Mars]

I finished the book. I loved it. I have been around long enough to remember much of what the characters in the book related. There was such a outward discrimination towards African Americans. As much as I enjoyed this book, it brought back a lot of memories of those times. I would love to see this book be a mandatory reading in schools. I doubt it will be, though. Education today is different than it was when I was a young girl, in school.

Sorry I couldn't be more involved with the discussion. Been undergoing some heavy-duty dental work and today was another appointment. Not feeling quite up to par, and feeling a little testy. This, too, shall pass.

Side Note: Just visited the VMB and saw the message that you just posted, Gfilm. I tried to post a comment about all the nonsense going on there but it wouldn't post because the message about being under maintenance came up. I sure hope that whatever they are doing over there and behind the scenes will take care of that board. It's a pathetic excuse for adult forum, imo. With all the fake IDs, I have changed my guess as to how many members there are actually on the board. I used to think there were about 70 members but now I think it's more like 30. All I can say about that is that I'm glad there are only 30 because if there were 70, that doesn't bode well for the citizens of this country. We can't all be whackadoodles.

I hope all of you are doing well and have a great weekend. My prayers and loving thoughts go out to JD and her family. ♥

~Mars

[Jdlovr07]

Hello everyone! Believe or not I actually finished the book. I can't say I have many thoughts on it though. I read it in a kind of dazed way so I'm gonna have to go back and re-read it sometime.

Also I would like to thank everyone for kind words. It was greatly appreciated.

[Seaelf63]

I really loved this book. I was sort of disappointed in the end, because I was expecting a little more for closure on the storyline. But, overall, I really liked the way it took me through many emotions. All the characters definitely had depth to them. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in social history.

[Gfilm]

JD!!! Heya.

I am glad to see you. Glad you were able to read a bit.

Going to warn you now if you are hurting in any way emotionally, do not go visit the vmb....its just bad.

What did you think of the book?

And is anyone else up for another or kinda bleh?

[Ceebee62]

Hi Gfilm -- good to hear from you. I was wondering where everyone went. I've logged onto the VMB a couple of times and tried to post but most of the threads get deleted while you're posting. Then the posters are just so rude and nasty to each other. I was never a big poster on the site, I threw my two cents in every now and then but used to enjoy reading the discussions. It seems like discussions start out okay but then the personal attacks start. So annoying, oh well....... I really enjoy getting on here and chatting with you all, even if it's every couple of days

Anyway, I'm always up for another book. I'm currently reading a free kindle book called The Curse of the Holy Pail. I was thinking after I finish The Curse of the Holy Pail book, I was going to download World War Z, a zombie book (you either love zombie books or hate them and I happen to love them ). I absolutely loved The Game of Thrones on HBO. I didn't realize it was a book series until I believe I read about it here. Have you already started it? That sounds like a winner to me.

Again, please let me know if you're interested in continuing. Take care everyone and have a great evening !!!

[Jdlovr07]

Hi Ceebee and Gfilm! I wouldn't mind reading another book if everyone else is up for it. Let me know.

[WSNHB]

Someone mentioned that they didn't understand how people could treat other humans in such a manner. If you didn't know better, that's how it always was, and no one spoke up about changing behavior, then I have a 'glimmer' of understanding why. Except that all the decent human beings I am acquainted with know better. I see that prejudice in more people today - Black, White, Hispanic, Asian ... so many want to put others at the bottom of the heap - why? Is there a lack of self-worth that drives the emotion?

I don't like the present-day comparison of treatment of African Americans to the treatment of Gays - I think they are too entirely different subject matters.

Minnie is my favorite character - she appears weak, allowing her husband to mistreat and beat on her, yet she has strength (and I don't think she recognized the fact for quite some time). She had a mouth on her, preventing her from keeping jobs; however, that mouth was her salvation.

My next favorite character was Ms Celia - she, like so many others, just wanted to be liked and recognized. Her strength came when she 'beat down' Mr Pecker Pie (that would have really been funny in the movie)

My least favorite character was Ms 2 Slice Hilly - the description 'ugly is as ugly does' comes to mind when I imagine what she looks like. Misery does love company, and she had no one that would stand up to her - that is what happens: silence belies acquiesence.

I hope to never be afraid to speak up and right wrongs, regardless of consequences!

[ToniLynnLupton]

Wonderful book..well written.As i am from Mississippi I know the struggles they had back then. Loved the movie equally as much!

[heather ahern]

Like every book made into a movie, "The Help" is better in written form. This books makes you feel like you are living within the injustice that the author is writing about, back in a time when there weren't people brave enough to speak about it, let alone chronicle the racial disparity in a small southern town for all to review. You can hear the southern twang in the maids voices as you read about the children they raise, the sadness they see, the vital roles they play in the lives of the very families that treat them as less than equal and you feel thankful that these things have been captured in print for the world to see.