Monday, September 21, 2009

" I SAT THERE AND BAWLED "

This post originally ran last March. Since Kathryn won this award yesterday for her wonderful book and because I have so many wonderful readers now that weren't following in March, I am re-posting my review of the best book I've read in YEARS!! Congratulations Kathryn Stockett!
It has been on the NY Times Bestseller list for 24 weeks and is still # 3. It has been the # 1 book on Indiebound for several weeks!


















I am reminded of a story told to me many years ago by my sweet neighbor Mr. Albert. As a boy, he had to walk nearly a half mile from the barn back to the house carrying two heavy pails of milk hanging from a pole across his shoulders. One day he had made it nearly to the back steps when he stumbled and fell, spilling all the milk. He said to me;
" my mother always said not to cry over spilled milk, but I sat there and bawled " !

"The Help" by Kathryn Stockett ( Pub . Feb.2009 by Amy Einhorn/ Putnam ) 444 Pages

I finished reading " The Help" this morning around 2:00 A.M. When it was over, I sat there and bawled! All that time I spent with Abilene, Minny, Skeeter, May Mobley and Miss Celia had come to an end and I was just heartbroken! They became my friends, like family and now it was like a funeral, after 444 pages, they were gone. I will miss them!

I have been reading the works of Southern Authors for as long as I can remember.This book is the work of a True Southern Author and it is an Awesome Read ! Kathryn Stockett has truly captured the emotion both the good and bad of the 1960's Mississippi I grew up in!

I have never laughed , cried, been angered, ashamed or proud this much within the pages of "one book ", in my life and I have read hundreds of great books! I relived my days with Ruby, the black woman who worked for my family, through Abilene whose character is so much like my memories of Ruby. I heard through Abilene's voice talking to Mae Mobley, Ruby's voice telling me; "what a smart girl I was and how I was gonna grow up and be something real special". I cried because I lost the chance to let Ruby see what I became, just like Skeeter did with Constantine, the black woman who helped raise her.

Thank God the South has been trying to change for the past 40 years and I am reminded by this book that it really has. Though things are not and may never be completely , the way they should be here in my lifetime, I have faith that they will in my children and their children's.

I agree, Kathryn may just have her a book as special in its message as Harper Lee did with "To Kill A Mockingbird "! I will place my copy of "The Help" on the shelf with the ones I consider the Classics.

I predict great things for " The Help" and to whomever buys the movie rights, I hope they opt for a mini-series because two hours will never do justice to these 444 wonderful pages!

If you love to read, read this book! If you don't read it , you have as we say in Mississippi, " a grudge against your own self ".

31 comments:

Reader Wil said...

Oh Carol! I am also heartbroken when I have to take leave of a book and the people in it. I almost cry when a lovely person dies, I get angry when some one cheats or abuses a child or who ever.. Above all I have to get used to a new book and its characters. Thanks for this excellent post.

Cynthia Pittmann said...

I will certainly read this book...maybe in the summer. It's not a quick read...and I do get involved...emotionally, too. Thank you Carol, I'm still trying to find the post about Bees...I will try again. Have you ever thought of organizing your sidebar with post links in groups...like books, family, and so on? or just have labels -even though they clutter. They could be on the bottom...and wouldn't get in the way too much. I'm trying to make a link to the post. So here I go again. <3

Anonymous said...

As much as I've been trying to cut back on the purchase of more books, this one has really called to me. I saw the 3/4 page ad in USA Today Feb. 12 and then read what you recently said here.
So needless to say, after you compared it to To Kill A Mockingbird, as you've guessed, yes, I will have to make this purchase. It sounds wonderful and thanks for reviewing it here for your readers.
PS...I'm now reading The House At Riverton.....over 400 pages also and I just do NOT want it to end! Morton's prose is simply the best I've read in ages!
So from one avid reader to another, I can relate!
Terri
http://www.islandwriter.net

Sweetie said...

When we hear of great books, one of my daughters or I purchase it and then share it. This book sounds like one that I will purchase. I am currently reading "The Shack." I just began this afternoon.
Sweetie

Renie Burghardt said...

Carol,

What a great recommendation for "The Help." I will also have to read it. I will see if our library has it or can order a copy. I love stories that really draw the reader into the story, and I often bawl as well. If a book affects me emotionally, I know it's good.

Happy March!

Renie

Carol Murdock said...

Wil.....I believe given your background, You would really enjoy this book.

Cynthia...the post was Feb.7 but it was not a review just an opinion about the movie.

Terri...as an Author yourself, you will really appreciate what Kathryn has done with this book!

Sweetie.....everyone needs to read this book. I have The Shack in my TBR stack, my daughter read it while she was here and LOVED it!

Renie....run don't walk to the Library, you will love this book!

Leesa said...

Sounds like a book I need to read. I am have finished a couple of books this weekend, and only have a couple until I start a new one. Oh, I can't wait.

steviewren said...

You've given this book a wonderful review. I'll look for it.

Carol Murdock said...

Leesa.....enjoy!

Stevie.....beinga true southern girl, you are gonna love it!

Carol Murdock said...

Gutsy........all I can say is, you must have never gotten hold of a really good book!People who are passionate about the written word,
are passionate about getting to the end of a good book! If your dream is to become an Author...
you better hope your work is good enough to keep your readers up till 2 A.M. otherwise your staying up to write it, will be for naught!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

You have me sold on this book. I love Southern authors too. You have me so excited yet apprehensive,I get attached to characters in books too and I know how hard it is to let go.

Kaye Wilkinson Barley - Meanderings and Muses said...

Oh wow.
What terrific raves!
Carol - thanks for introducing us to this treasure of a book
Since I'm snowed in today, I'm wishing I had it already! What a perfect read it would be for today, huh?!
Since all of you loved this one so much, I have another recommendation for you. Published in 1966, out of print for awhile, found life again with Crown Publishers, out of print again, and about to have yet another rebirth, I can say without a quibble that it's my all time favorite book ever. I'm betting many of you have read it - Five Smooth Stones by Anne Fairbairn.

Carol Murdock said...

Katherine...you being from New Orleans, trust me, this is your kind of book!

Kaye....I just ordered a 1966 Hardcover in very good condition!
Thanks for the heads up!

Elenka said...

I have heard so many people endorse this book, I can't wait to get it.

Debbie said...

I read a little blurb about this in Book Page and thought I would like it. I love Southern Fiction (of course I do - I am a southerner!).

Greg C said...

I loved growing up in the South as well and agree, some things may never change. Things are sure different than they were when we were growing up though.

Anonymous said...

I am still learning about the South - so different from the West like California :)
Don't you hate is when you finished a good book, and there is no sequel!

Anonymous said...

I forgot - I stayed up many a time till 2am because I couldn't put a book down, or my brush for that matter :)

RiverPoet said...

I will have to check this book out! As a Southern girl myself, I love supporting the arts from that region. Yes, the South is remaking itself, but with many pockets of resistance. Time will take care of all of that, I hope.

Thanks for the book recommendation - Peace - D

NCmountainwoman said...

When you first posted, I went down to my local bookstore and picked up "The Help." Because I have company, I haven't had much daytime reading time, so I have lost quite a bit of sleep reading this wonderfully written book late at night. I can't wait to finish it, and yet I don't want to finish it. It's that good. I am savoring the words and the stories. One of the best reads I've had for quite a while. I don't want it to end. Thanks for telling me about it.

The W.O.W. factor! said...

This sounds like a wonderful book! I am so very guilty of staying up as long as it takes to finish a book,(even without ever going to sleep!) one that I leap into as if I were living and experiencing it all. I'm adding this to my list for sure!

Patience-please said...

This sounds like a good choice for our little book club in Paducah, KY. Reading of the lives of characters who have become friends - or writing of them, for that matter - during the wee hours, adds an intimacy. A private secret shared only by the bedside lamp. A little pocketed pleasure.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

I'm definitely putting it on my list! I loved "The Secret Life Of Bees" and it sounds similar, is it?

Arkansas Patti said...

Thanks for the great review. I have it on hold with my local library and can't wait. Two people are ahead of me.
Not anxious for a good cry but now I know am anxious for the read.

Becca's Dirt said...

I will have to get this book. I love southern authors who write about the south. I love the rich history that they bring to life. Thanks for the recommendation.

Becca's Dirt said...

Hey forgot to tell you how I love your new header - Love the Natchez.

Carol............. said...

The book looks like a great read. We'll be moving back to AZ for the winter and I'll have more time then to do more reading......right now I'm still a slave to the garden and animals.

Pat in east TN said...

Carol, I am about 2/3's of the way through the book now and all I can say is it is one of my all time favorite books and I am recommending it to everyone I know that reads. My one friend got it in audio and said it was amazing in that different people did each character and all with that wonderful southern drawl! Regardless, kudo's to Miss Stockett on her award!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Oh, sound like a winner to me...
I tend to get lost in books like this, no cooking, no cleaning, nothing, until it is finished.
I must schedule some time to read.
A lovely recommendation.

Jayme Goffin, The Coop Keeper said...

Carol...I thought of you as I sat down and read two chapters of a fictional novel this afternoon with tea! What a delight it was to read something that wasn't a 'how to'! :-) I will definitely read this book.

Thanks!

prashant said...

You have me sold on this book. I love Southern authors too. How to make a website