I have started to write about The Help four times. I have attempted to review the book, by Kathryn Stockett, which our book discussion group read last year and I have tried reviewing the movie adaptation, which I just saw on Friday. My own words keep getting tangled up in the mix of movie and book, characters and issues.
Adaptations of books into movies rarely translate well for me. Sometimes, a movie will lead me to a book; almost always a positive turn. A book made into a movie usually disappoints. A rare exception is Kathryn Stockett’s The Help. Have you read the book or seen the movie? I found both to be rendered so skillfully that I am finding words to describe them hard to find.
The movie scenes come as no surprise. They hold pretty true to the book. I know I will laugh when the word “commodes” is substituted for “clothes”, though I know it is coming and is pivotal point in the story, for Skeeter finally takes a stand, knowing she will pay dearly for it. I may never eat a piece of chocolate pie again without thinking of Minny’s exacting of her own brand of justice in executing “the Terrible Awful”. I will always feel Abileene’s sorrow at the inhumanity suffered by her son and admire her courage to tell her story, knowing full well the likely consequences of her actions. The movie, you see, holds pretty true to the book. The story still moves me.
I still felt the tears well up, the indignation of Jim Crow and racism, the pain and the suffering and I still felt the gathering of friends, the loyalty, the start of the tide turning, a tipping point.
Please, pick up the book and have a good read and do see the movie with tissues in hand. You don’t need my words. They don’t do The Help justice, but Kathryn Stockett’s words do and are there for the taking in two very engrossing ways.
Penny:
You beat me to the movie. I have read the book and loved how well the ashamed truth played itself out. Very humbling and so well written. I look forward to the movie adaptation of Kathryn’s book and now with such pleasure after hearing your words.
Thanks for sharing and as usual so beautifully.
Mary Anne
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Mary Anne, I found the movie to be the same. I think you will enjoy the movie.
As the credits rolled, one of my friends and I said aloud at the same time “Nate Berkus”, neither of us having realized he was one of the producers.
Thank you, Mary Anne. You are so sweet to say so. Penny
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I read the book awhile back and saw the film last Thursday. There were tears and laughter and applause during the showing. Wonderful adaptation. The actors were amazing. I will see The Help again.
I enjoyed your review.
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Wasn’t it a great adaptation, Pat. I think I will see it again as well.
Thank you. I just read yours and enjoyed it as well, especially how well you expressed The Help bringing out tears, but, not being a sad movie.
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I finished the book on my Kindle just a couple of weeks ago — had been meaning to read it forever and when I read about the movie coming out I ordered it so that I’d finish it before I read all the movie reviews. I loved the book and wondered if the movie would actually compare favorablly — now I do want to see it after reading your post.
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Wasn’t it a wonderful read, Sallie? Do see it when you can. The movie was well done. A few things were left out or shortened, but, is already well over two hours in length and doesn’t affect the storyline. Let me know what you thnk.
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Thank goodness for Kindle, Penny. Here I sit by the sea and I can just download The Help and begin reading….thank you for such a lovely review, and for supplying me with my holiday read.
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I’d love to hear your perspective of the book, Kate. Hope your holiday is going well.
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dear penny,
i have just begun reading the book. i grew up in jackson, tennessee at the time the book takes place. there are many things that it has made me remember like air conditioning at the grocery store as a novelty. we never had help of any race at our home as my parents and i lived in a modest 2 bedroom bungalow . they both worked. i was never aware of any of the conflicts, the abuse, the hate that was all around me. i lead a sheltered life that ended when i went to nursing school in 1965 in birmingham, al. we could not leave the dorm at night without a security guard–not that we wanted to. i feel shame and guilt for the things that happened and the loss of life. birmingham is still cursed.
the book has opened my eyes to those things i didn’t know about. i am sure it will be a classic and i am glad now that my parents were very middle class.
thanks for allowing me to present an alternate side of the story.
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Thank you, Marilyn, for your comments and perspective. I also led a sheltered life and came to find that not all was as good and wholesome as I thought. I hope you enjoy the book as much as I did. It is, after all a novel, but, I think it portrays a segment of life that occurred. I would love to get your “take” on the book when you finish.
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Penny I read this book a few weeks ago. It was both wonderful and sad, and very strong, I think it is a book we should all read. So very well written. I had to smile at “the Terrible Awful’ and about the commodes.
I didn’t know that it has been made into a movie, I must see it.
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It is, indeed, all those things, Marilyn. It certainly evokes all sorts of emotions, doesn’t it? The movie was just recently released here, so, hope it finds is way down to you soon. It is well done.
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I have neither read nor seen “The Help” . You tickled my imagination enough that I will put The Help on my read and see list.
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I do hope you have a chance to read or see “The Help”, or both, Janet. I wouldn’t go so far as to say it will be a classic like “To Kill a Mockingbird”, but, it is a good book and stirs up emotions and issues of civil rights and humanity.
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I haven’t read the book but I saw the film last week. I cried so much but there was also a lot of laughter – that incident with the pie was priceless!!! It’s such a wonderful film about the importance of being brave enough to stand up for what is right. It horrifies me that people can be so cruel to one another, and the indignities faced by those women just because of the colour of their skin…it disgusted and saddened me. But I loved their response – their dignity and love of life never failed them, and they showed themselves to be the better citizens of humanity than the white women who thought they were superior in every way. I’m interested in reading the book now I’ve seen the film – I was put off the book because of its popularity. I thought it was another beach read but I’m prepared to be wrong!
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I know what you mean about being put off by popular books. I’m not sure I would have read it if it hadn’t been one of our book group selections. Having said that, I’m glad I did. That is one of the things I love about book group; reading books I might not otherwise have read. We had a lively discussion of the book last year. I encourage you to read it, Rachel. I was pleasantly surprised by how much the movie followed the book, though, of course, there were things left out for brevity.
The book seems to have caused quite a stir; those aghast at the treatment of black maids, those aghast that it didn’t really happen, those critical of the writing and character development. While I don’t think it is another To Kill a Mockingbird, I do think it is a worthy novel and love it when some controversy follows a book. Books should stir us, shouldn’t they?
I’m keeping Persuasion on my desk to remind me of your September read.
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Good blog! You did justice to the book and movie and got some people interested in reading it. I’m sure the Author loves you for it…. I’m glad Pat@Back Porch Musings wrote, I clicked on her site and love her chicken display, a woman with excellent taste. I do hope the book becomes a classic,it should. I would see the movie again…just to see Miss Hilly eat the pie!
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Thank you. Pat’s blog is interesting and fun, isn’t it? I’m glad you took a look, Sharon. It will be interesting to see how The Help weathers time. I’d like to see it again, too. I don’t know if the book will be a classic, but, that scene sure will.
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