Penguin Books
2009
I borrowed this book from the library on Monday on a whim; I’ve heard about it, of course, and some of the claims, but never picked it up. I felt like a change from fantasy.
I’m not sure what I feel about this book.
It was rivetting, I really couldn’t put it down. The characters, especially of Minny and Aibileen, were well drawn and sympathetic. The description of 1960’s Mississippi felt ‘real’. It’s very obvious the author grew up there.
The plot was gripping, I couldn’t wait to find out if Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny were successful in their endeavour, and how the rest of the town would react.
On the other hand some of the minor characters, the maids other than Minny and Aibileen, and the white ‘ladies’ who employed them are sketched out barely, despite being important actors in the drama. I felt like they were there just to add tension at times and to reflect the main characters’ emotions at other times. Some of the characters, especially the incredibly conservative and racist Hilly, are caricatures.
I had a faint disquieting feeling while reading this book. I can’t really explain why.
Everything Is Better With Dragons 