The Help

By: Kathryn Stockett

Narrated by: Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, Cassandra Campbell

Length: 18 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

Three ordinary women are about to take one extraordinary step.

Twenty-two-year-old Skeeter has just returned home after graduating from Ole Miss. She may have a degree, but it is 1962, Mississippi, and her mother will not be happy till Skeeter has a ring on her finger. Skeeter would normally find solace with her beloved maid, Constantine, the woman who raised her, but Constantine has disappeared and no one will tell Skeeter where she has gone.

Aibileen is a black maid, a wise, regal woman raising her 17th white child. Something has shifted inside her after the loss of her own son, who died while his bosses looked the other way. She is devoted to the little girl she looks after, though she knows both their hearts may be broken.

Minny, Aibileen's best friend, is short, fat, and perhaps the sassiest woman in Mississippi. She can cook like nobody's business, but she can't mind her tongue, so she's lost yet another job. Minny finally finds a position working for someone too new to town to know her reputation. But her new boss has secrets of her own.

Seemingly as different from one another as can be, these women will nonetheless come together for a clandestine project that will put them all at risk. And why? Because they are suffocating within the lines that define their town and their times. And sometimes lines are made to be crossed.

In pitch-perfect voices, Kathryn Stockett creates three extraordinary women whose determination to start a movement of their own forever changes a town, and the way women—mothers, daughters, caregivers, friends—view one another.

This edition now includes the afterword "Too Little, Too Late—Kathryn Stockett in Her Own Words", as read by the author.

Bonus Audio: Hear an exclusive interview with Kathryn Stockett.

©2009 Kathryn Stockett, Cover Art: (c) 2011 DreamWorks II Distribution Co., LLC (P)2009 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“The two principal maid characters...leap off the page in all their warm, three dimensional glory...[A] winning novel.” (The New York Times)

“This could be one of the most important pieces of fiction since To Kill a Mockingbird…If you read only one book...let this be it.” (NPR.org)

“A beautiful portrait of a fragmenting world.” (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

The Help

Wonderful - I listen to audile books often and have never done a review but this audio formt of this novel is (I didn't want the book end t to end); this was the most outstanding audio production I've ever listened to. The voice character were well casted. All too often, is seems as though the reader is picked off the street (men trying to do women's vices, visa versa or one voice trying to do every character - doesn't). I highly recommend this for anyone who as been so disgusted with an audio book because of the narrator - you'er in for a real treat with The Help.

Amazing!

This book has stayed with me. It captures you from the very beginning and won't let go until you finish. The characters are so intriguing!

One of the best

this as one of the best books I have read or heard if such a long time!! Everyone should have a listen.

The Help review

I lived during this era but did not realize what was happening. Born in 1959, most of the facts were kept from me as a white child. I really enjoyed listening to this and it was so easy to feel the pain of the characters of the book.

Fabulous first read!

Would you consider the audio edition of The Help to be better than the print version?

Yes, because it is read by five different voices, it allows the reader to know each character more fully than a one dimensional narrator would.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Minnie agrees to disclose the

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending scene between Abilene and Mae Mobley, the angst of Skeeter finding out about Constantine

Outstanding- BRAVO

This is one of the most entertaining audible books that I have listened to yet. Most of the time I only listen to the audible books when I have long distances to travel. But this one I could not stop myself from listening continuously through-out the day. I LOVE the narrarators FANTASTIC. Such a powerful story Thank You Kathryn Stockett

Loved it! I am so happy it has an Audible version.

I loved this book! I hope it has sequels. I would love to know how all the children turned out and what they thought of their mothers' bravery. I would love to find out who really became affected politically and how. Hopefully, a TV series is coming up.

I agree.

I concur with the high assessments written by others. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book.

Gilded transport

This was a wonderfully produced story. The readers were a true joy and Stockett's writing painted the picture so vividly, it was a pleasure to listen. Her poignant portrayal of all the caricatures was done with such honest expression and varied perception. This was a gift and I would highly recommend "The Help" to anyone who is looking for a civil rights historical novel with a behind the scenes perspective. These absolutely vivid women will enchant you with their personalities. The readers voices, tone and dialect were beguiling and so on -point.

One of the most entertaining

What made the experience of listening to The Help the most enjoyable?

This was great. Several different narrarators really get you into the story. Highly recommend.