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)

Riveting and eye opening

I bought it to placate my sister who had read it. It is not my usual type of book. However, after just a few chapters, I found myself riveted. I listen in the car and at the gym. I have found myself idling in the driving or doing an extra mile because I am unable to stop. The emotions throughout this book are expertly drawn out, involving you in each character's life. Bemoaning the end of each chapter. I have 45 minutes left to go and, rather than being unable to put it down, I am now trying to draw it out. I don't want this captivating story to end. It is so well done.

The Help

Fascinating book; it was hard to put down. Written from a viewpoint not often heard, from that of black maids working in white homes. The book helps the reader gain increased understanding of black American life in the deep South during the early '60's. Extremely enlightening.

amazing story

i enjoyed the narration of the lives of the southern women. it gave me life

Gripping, yet human

This is a wonderful story set between three narrators. Although the political history is a major part of the novel, this is carefully crafted through human narratives and deeply personal stories. I was rapidly pulled in. A great listen - I highly recommend it!

Excellent story and narrators

This was one of the best audio productions I've come across. Its wonderful characters are brought to life by convincing readers - a real pleasure to listen to!

A must read!

Do yourself a favor and get this book. Simply the best i have listen to by far. Amazing!!

Amazing!

This was a great one, don't miss it.

Highly Recommended

I loved this book and highly recommend it. I found it compelling and the audio added a wonderful dimension to the enjoyment. I did not want to finish it and missed the characters when I did. Excellent!

Wonderful book!

I loved this book for so many reasons! It is an intriguing story about an important time in the history of our nation, and is told exceptionally well. It is also narrated beautifully by three women.

Outstanding! Lovable Characters! Fantastic Story!

If you could sum up The Help in three words, what would they be?

A Compelling Story

Who was your favorite character and why?

Abaleine, She seamed to be the mom figure, the adult in the story. She knew love, loss, hard times and good times. Yet she stayed at peace in her soul.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Middy, She was quick witted the narrator really made you believe you were hearing about a live person telling her story.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

The Intersection of three different lives.

Any additional comments?

Great book, great story, I recommend that everyone read this. I could not wait till the next time I could start listening again. Now that I am finished I will miss the characters, I felt like there were part of my life.