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)

I have already listened to it twice!

I had a high school composition teacher who remarked that books are friends. Take a friend off the shelf when you need it and it will be with you always. This one made me remember that idea. I felt like I was among friends. I got to know the characters, loved the use of different narrators. It gave such a good perspective of the struggles and stupidity of the times. I got ticked off at the caucasian housewives with their ignorance and how they were just like sheep; had no brains for themselves...just flocked. I admire the courage of the women in spite of the risks. We witnessed Skeeter mature and maybe times change a little. Great book...pretty long, but you don't want it to end.

Not my usual cup of tea

This is my first time listening to a story using multiple readers and this isn't my usual genre, but I absolutely loved this story. I became very invested in the stories of these women and their struggles and triumphs. At times I would laugh out loud, at times I cried. In the end I was crying, but I wasn't sure if it was about the content or the loss of my new found "friends". A rare book that I didn't want to end.

Great narration!

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

Lovely story.

Any additional comments?

The narration on this is fantastic. Wonderful job ladies! I couldn't decide which voice or character I liked more. The narrators really brought the story to life.

One of the best I've ever listened to

Great characters. Superb narration. Excellent writing. My wife is from Mississippi. I love the state, and for anyone afraid this will slam the state, I say it does not. It does cast a bright light on a shameful part of our history, a period that is better understood from this masterful work of showing different perspectives. Get this book!

Fantastic

This book was the most fantastic I've read/heard since A thousand splendid suns. So, so good. I recommend it highly!

Beautifully written and read.

I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book being read to me. I am glad that I chose this book as my first audible book.

Interesting, thought provoking and intense

After reading Audible's review stating all reader gave this 5 stars I knew I wouldn't because I am so fussy. Stockett's writing covers all readers emotion from reader's almost tears to laughing. In spite of being raised in So CA I was lucky enought to have the black/white relationship as my parents and grandparents had a long time black maid. Stockett captures the relationship between the child loving the maid and the maid always having time to listen (yes, while working!). I hope she was never ill treated by my elders and, while wool gathering, will think about this for years as I remember times with her. It is to bad Stockett's grandmother would not let her eat with the 'help' some of the best food I remember was shared during lunch with Elizabeth! Read this book, it is wonderful, sad and true.

The help

I couldn't stop listening. The story made me wonder about what life was like in Mississippi in the 60's. The characters are well developed and intriguing but I was a little disappointed with the ending.

Compelling

This book was recommended to me by two people. It concerns a subject I know very little about, but finally I thought I'd give it a listen to see if it was as good as everyone says. Well, it is. Wow. The narrators really brought it to life. The time period is when my mom was a teen and young adult, and i only wish she was still around to share this story with me. Not many writers can make me feel like I am really there, but in the heart of a New England winter I was transported to a steamy Mississipi kitchen. I can't even begin to imagine what it was like to be any of the people in this book, but it will stay with me for a very long time. Combining heart-wrenching with humor, I would say get this and listen, ASAP!!

Serious & Hilarious; All at Once!

This work brings history back to life. I can appreciate the love relationships between the maids & the children they cared for. The narration is superb. The story is nimble & quick with many delightful twists. This is my second time on this book & it will not be my last. Wonderful read! ♡