I loved this book! The narration is shared by three characters and I just couldn't put it down. The fact that this is a debut novel makes it all the more enjoyable. I anxiously await her next book! Here is what Publishers Weekly had to say: What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it. |
Karen - I loved this book, too. Thanks for recommending it. I kept having to remind myself that the setting wasn't that long ago.... Also the white women who were the main characters were quite young... not long out of college, yet so different than our kids who are around the same age.