I love finding a book that draws me in and doesn't let go. This was one of those books. It is simply a beautiful novel using a creative writing style that mixes southern dialect with a light sprinkling of humor. The setting takes place in a 1960’s Mississippi in the midst of segregation. The chapters unfold through the words of three different woman - Skeeter, Aibileen and Minnie. Skeeter is a southern white woman with aspirations of becoming a writer. Best friends, Aibileen and Minnie are black maids dealing with the ugly face of prejudice. Aibileen is nurturing and kind hearted and carries the soul of a writer within. Minnie is unyielding and has a tendency to speak her mind making her life struggles all the more difficult. It is this unlikely trio that connect and begin to secretly write about the true stories of the black women working for white families. The eventual publishing of their book exposes the injustices and discrimination that exists within their lives. The author shares a painful time in our history, but also how simple human kindness plays such an important role in the healing process. A wonderful and compelling read that I highly recommend!
Hardcover, 451 pages
Published February 10th 2009 by Amy Einhorn Books/Putnam (first published January 1st 2009)
ISBN 0399155341
PS - I saw the movie after reading the book and enjoyed it as well, but I wished they had shown a few missing scenes from the book.
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