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Kathyrn Stockett is a talented writer and created the tense atmosphere of Jackson, Mississippi in the sixities with a deft hand complete with historical elements. She did a nice job creating the entitled white women.

However, I found the story overlong, inconsitent dialect issues, and questionable portrayals of non-white characters. Didn't buy the character of Stuart, either. He goes from obnoxious, alcoholic sexist jerk to a fairly decent guy.

Curious, if the author was anything like the maids portrayed I looked her up only to discover she's an affluent white Southern woman, which, of course made her more like Skeeter. Skeeter, the true main character, had very little to lose from delving into racial issues, a snub from friends and a talking to from her mother how about how she needed a husband to guide her. While the maids in the story teetered on losing everything including their lives.

In my search to know more about the author, I discovered she was being sued by her brother's nanny. Apparently, the nanny, a black domestic who related her story to the author with instructions not to use it. Ms. Stockett used the complete story even making the maid's name in the story Aibileen, when the actual plaintiff's name was Ablene--not exactly hidden.

What bothers me besides going back on her word, the real Ablene's son was killed in a tragic accident, so Treelore was killed in a tragic racially inspired incident. Parents don't get over the death of their children. It's always there. Ablene gets a reminder every time The Help is mentioned, or scenes from the movie shown. As for the court case, Ms. Stockett denies all--even though her brother supports the nanny.

Well, some folks are great about separating an artist from their art. I'm not, which explains why I never watch any Woody Allen movies.

Want to enjoy the book, don't google the author.

I never finished the book, but having lived through the times I have a clue how it eneded.