Busy Mom Book Club: The Help

Hey all!

In an attempt to be less confusing as to which book club we are talking about, we are naming this book club "The Busy Mom Book Club." Don't laugh.

Bethany, thanks for the fun reading of "Secrets of the Jedi." It was fun, it was enlightening, and now I can understand Kobe a little more. Heh.

Next month, Susan Turner has chosen "The Help" by Katherine Stockett. This book is coming out in the theatres soon, if it isn't already there. Here is a synopsis:

The Help is set in the early 1960s in Jackson Mississippi, and is told from the perspective of 3 people, Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter. Aibileen is an African-American maid who cleans houses and cares for the young children of various white families. During the time covered in the novel, she has a job looking after a toddler girl named Mae Mobley, her first job since her own 24-year-old son was killed in an on-the-job accident.

Minny, Aibileen's confrontational friend who frequently tells her employers what she thinks of them, which has resulted in her being fired from 19 jobs. Her most recent employer was Mrs. Walters, mother of Hilly Holbrook. Hilly is the social leader of the community, and head of the Junior League, the lady you do not want to cross in Jackson Mississippi. She will become the nemesis for all three main characters in the book.

Miss "Skeeter" Eugenia Phelan is the daughter of a prominent white family that owns a large cotton farm that employs many African-Americans in the fields, as well as in the household. Skeeter has just finished college and come home with big dreams of becoming a writer. However, her mother only wishes for Skeeter to get married, something that does not particularly interest Skeeter. Upon coming home Skeeter discovers that Constantine, the maid that raised her, has suddenly quit, and moved to Chicago with no word to Skeeter. This was unusual since Constantine had been writing to Skeeter the entire time she was at college, and had promised Skeeter a surprise when she got home. This is a mystery that nobody will discuss with Skeeter. The Help reveals Skeeter's personal struggles with her friends and family throughout.

During the weekly bridge club that Skeeter attends with Hilly, Mrs. Walters and Elizabeth, Abileen's employer, Hilly discusses her belief that all homes should have separate bathroom facilities for the "colored" help. This discussion has an impact on Skeeter. She is awakened to the realization that her friends' maids are treated so different from the way a white person is treated, and wants to reveal the truth to the world from the maids' perspectives by writing a book about it. 

Written in the first person from the perspective of Abileen, Minny and Skeeter, the struggles Skeeter experiences to communicate to the maids and gain their trust is revealed, as well as the issues of overcoming long standing barriers in customs and laws by all of the characters. The daily lives of the Southern housewife, and the household maid during the early 1960's in Mississippi are explored. The dangers of undertaking writing a book about African-Americans speaking out in the early 60's are constantly hovering over the 3 ladies. The ultimate results are heart breaking at times, and humorous at times, and unpredictable.

Can't wait.

This month, we are meeting at Susan's house, Aug 18th at 12:30pm. (Thanks to everyone being willing to switch days and times so that I can come.) We know this is the same day as the other book club, but we figured it was doing the day so there would be no conflict.

Hope to see you all there.