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Reply To: Should this book stay on the list?

Joanne — Fri, 25 Aug 2023 10:47:38 +0000

A fun read. I grew up during this period of time in California. I saw events on TV, but this book really brought those events home on a more personal level. It was filled with truth, sadness and humor. The characters were filled with depth and a strong sense of community.

Reply To: Historical Fiction

Kathleen Witt — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 22:21:26 +0000

It really brings it home and more personal.

Reply To: Misconceptions

Beth H — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 15:09:31 +0000

I was the same way…that just middle class families would have a maid. I have a friend from Mississippi and her family had a maid in the 50s. She is a totally sensitive person and regrets that it was “comfortable” to have a maid.

Reply To: Misconceptions

Leslie C — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 02:01:39 +0000

I knew a lot of people felt as Celia did. The toilet thing really got to me….so demeaning. I also did not realize there was so many people of means that hired nannies etc….they weren’t super wealthy.

Cancer

Stacy Asell — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 16:13:58 +0000

Was anyone else surprised that Skeeter’s mom survived her cancer? I wonder why the author made this choice.

Manny and Celia

Stacy Asell — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 16:11:38 +0000

As much as I’ve been complaining about the over-representation of the love between white people and their black maids in this book, I really enjoyed the relationship dynamic between Minny and Celia. I loved how Minny was able to finally speak her mind in Celia’s house without getting into trouble. I wished that she could’ve worked for Celia sooner so she wouldn’t have had to deal with Hilly and her mom. Although then we wouldn’t have the pie story. 😂 I felt bad for Celia when she got blamed for signing Hilly up for the pie at the banquet, but it was hilarious to find out Mrs. Walters did it.

And should we discuss Celia’s infertility? Poor thing. I was so glad that Minny didn’t go home instead of coaxing Celia to open the bathroom door. I wouldn’t have liked to see Celia die in this book. And I was glad that Minny didn’t have to fish the fetus out of the toilet. Minny might have been paid well but not enough to do that!

Constantine

Stacy Asell — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 15:53:07 +0000

Wow. Constantine’s is a terribly sad, tragic story. I can only try to imagine how difficult it must be to give up a baby for adoption right after birth; the immense and immediate love I had for my babies as soon as I held them was overwhelming. But then to give up your child at the age of four! You’ve seen so many milestones and experiences: first rollover, first tooth, crawling, walking, first spoken word, all of the cuddles and things you’ve taught the child. So painful. And to leave your child at an orphanage, no less. And the reason for giving her up. Ugh. Seems unfathomable today, thank goodness. But that kind of intense racism also supports my statement in the Misconceptions post about how this book (and the movie) over-represents the love between white families and their black maids at the time. I’m sure it happened some, but not as much as what we saw in the book.

Reply To: Historical Fiction

Anne Goff — Sun, 30 Jul 2023 00:25:22 +0000

Yes. Those kinds of details are what I love most about historical fiction. Using real references/events to set the scene or, even better, as a catalyst for action is a great melding of reality and fiction. I always learn something new and feel history coming alive.

Historical Fiction

Stacy Asell — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 02:35:43 +0000

I love the weaving in of actual historical events into this book, including the music references, like the Patsy Cline songs on the radio right after her death, mention of the song “It’s My Party,” and references to Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones songs. It’s like I could actually hear the songs and that adds so much to a scene you’re reading about.

While the murder of Medgar Evers really happened and is very depressing, I love how the author uses that event as the catalyst for the other maids telling their stories to Skeeter.

Reply To: Misconceptions

Stacy Asell — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 02:23:17 +0000

I’ve always assumed that more people in the south at that time were more like Hilly than Skeeter or Celia regarding their attitudes toward black people. I was surprised that Senator Whitworth alluded to the governor being wrong about his beliefs. I recently read somewhere that Viola Davis regretted her role in the movie because it inaccurately portrays the prevalence of loving relationships between white ladies and their black maids.