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)

Excellent book, excellent readers

Beautifully written, beautifully read book, truly one of those instances where a good narration brings a good book even more to life. The characters are well-drawn, and the simple writing of a book in this place, at this time in history, becomes a breathtaking act of the greatest courage. I recommend it highly

Wonderful

This stroy completely immerses you in it's world, and you'll love every minute of it. I almost have to stop myself from slipping into a southern accent now :)

EXCELLENT!!! KEPT ME WANTING MORE

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

It made me feel more connected to the characters. I was able to really get into the book, let my mind wander and really identify with the characters.

What other book might you compare The Help to and why?

None that I can think of right now.

Have you listened to any of the narrators’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Who was the most memorable character of The Help and why?

I would have to say Minnie!!! No one will ever forget that chocolate cake! LOLOL. She was a tough cookie, didn't take any crap and worked hard.

Any additional comments?

I also loved Abilene's character. She kept everyone around her calm. She had this comforting way about her. The best part of the book described her well. She takes big problems and roll them into little situations.

So very well done!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

In a heart beat! I read the book and loved it. I bought the audio book because I just wanted MORE or The Help. The proformance of the readers was so close to what was in my own head, especially Abaline. I will surely listen to this again. Unique story, pulls all the heart strings!

What did you like best about this story?

It is so hard to believe this was what life was like for the women in this book in such recent history. Not only the racism, but the life the white women were expected to life too. We have really all come a long way. And I think it is important we do not forget.

loved it!

I usually don't listen to books quite this "feminine"-I mostly listen to politcal/historical stuff, but I loved this book, I couldn't get enough. I would drive anywhere just to listen and then sit in the driveway and listen some more. Riveting, thought provoking and moving.

Simply incredible.

I think this is my favorite Audible book so far (and I have listened to quite a few). The story is utterly compelling, and, I might add, eye-opening for this reader who was just a baby during the time the book takes place. The readers were simply outstanding. They made me feel like I knew the characters, who I miss now that I've finished the book. Oh, if only for a sequel!

excellent book

Loved how the book was written from the view point of all the women.
very descriptive- very well written

Stunning story telling!

This book is like meeting new best friends. I will miss them when the story is over.

Was loving it until...

Overall, this book has been great. All of the readers have been very easy to listen to but now I'm having a really hard time getting through the chapter about the benefit (Part 3, Chapter 3), because the woman reading this chapter is SO ANNOYING. Her voice is grinding on my nerves. But still a great book!

Wow

My first audible book and I was far from disappointed. The Help has touched on every single emotion that I can experience. I've been able to empathize with characters. It's a book that I'll recommend and would definitely say that it's the best I've read in a long time.