I love the southern language it is written in and the way each character has her own chapters.
In chapter one I thought that apparently Skeeter was very close to her maid who raised her and she didn't like the way Hilly thought maids should have outdoor restrooms.
The part about how Abiline's son died brought tears to my eyes.
It makes me sad how Miss Leefolt won't nurture her own baby. I'm so glad the baby has Abiline to love her.
I'm worried about the bitter seed that is growing in Abiline.
I just started Minny's chapter but it looks right now like the lady she is going to work for is going to be a hoot.
Your thoughts????
Andddddddddddd, please tell me if there is a better format than this to discuss the book. Thanks for all your input!!!
I love the book so far. I am about half way through chapt 3 with Minny's story begun. I, too, am impressed with the authentic dialogues.....often it is distracting but this flows easily.
I feel so badly for the Baby Girl....reaching out for her mother who never holds her.
I think Minny would be a great friend, so fun to be around. I am suspecting that Minny and Miss Celia will become close through the process of teaching Miss Celia how to take care of a house. I feel sorry for Celia already, first when she was rejected from volunteering her time to help the ladies from Jackson, and then when I read that she had to leave the house exactly as her MIL had it decorated.
I am guessing laxatives in Miss Hilly's pie?
I think those questions should be left for a little later in the book as I don't want any spoilers.
Ok, back to the book--I love it when I find a book like this that I don't want to put down! Thanks, chippy,for suggesting this and all who are joining in.
On 6/10/09, I'm afraid to read the link due to the possible spoiler. wrote: > On 6/10/09, amysaidit wrote: >> I am enthralled with this book. I love Southern literature. >> I have posted a link of questions for possible >> discussion...but they may be spoilers this early in the book. >> >> I am impressed at the authenic dialogue of Aibileen and >> Minny. I feel that the author was able to capture this >> precisely. Unlike other books, it is not distracting >> whatsoever. >> >> >> Should we define how far we are in discussing this (for >> example: discuss chapters 1-5)?
It's definitely not a "funny" book but I have laughed. When Mr. Leefolt looks at Mae Mo and tells her she's not going to college because her mama is spending the money on the bathroom, it's sad but funny too. And then at the end of the beginning (or what we have defined as the begining!) when Minny is in the bathroom hiding - it's like an I Love Lucy episode.
What in the world can be the deal with Constantine getting fired????
How sad about the baby getting spanked for using Abeline's bathroom.
And when the chapter ended with Minny hiding from that lady's husband I tried to find the next Minny chapter to see what happened but couldn't find it.
Your thoughts?
Still haven't read the link due to not wanting to possibly read the spoiler.
...See MoreStockett has done a great job with these characters. I am enjoying them all - even the evil Hilly, and the frustrating Mother. I again found things that made me laugh - the editor looking at Skeeter's impressive college resume and saying "didn't you have any fun?" and Mother's reaction when she gets the Miss Myrna job, "oh the irony of it"
Poor poor Mae Mo - thank goodness that baby has Abilene to love her. I don't know how Abilene can swallow her pride and take what she does - there's the real strength in these women - that they put themselves aside and did what they needed to survive. I wonder how much of that still has to happen today - the vestiges of racism that I as a white woman don't even notice?
On 6/14/09, Susan/SC wrote: > Stockett has done a great job with these characters. I am > enjoying them all - even the evil Hilly, and the frustrating > Mother. I again found things that made me laugh - the editor > looking at Skeeter's impressive college resume and saying "didn't > you have any fun?" and Mother's reaction when she gets the Miss > Myrna job, "oh the irony of it" > > Poor poor Mae Mo - thank goodness that baby has Abilene to love > her. I don't know how Abilene can swallow her pride and take what > she does - there's the real strength in these women - that they > put themselves aside and did what they needed to survive. I > wonder how much of that still has to happen today - the vestiges > of racism that I as a white woman don't even notice?
I finally got mine in the mail - that's one of the worst parts about where I live - everything takes forever to get here! Now I just have to get through an incredibly busy tomorrow so I can settle in tomorrow night and read!
I finally found out that it was not Celia's husband that Minny was hiding from but the meter man...what a hoot.
Then her husband does finally meet her and isn't mad after all. What in the world can be Celia's problem. I've been lonely and depressed in a new place before and know that has to be part of it. And with Hilly there Celia will never be "in". What will she do? What does she do in those rooms? Such a mystery.
And I'm terribly afraid for Ms Skeeter and the maids. It was such a turbulent time back then and they really were putting their lives on the line doing the interviews.
Andddddddd now that Skeeter is dating the senator's son I have to wonder if he'll get on board with her and help be an agent for change.
At the end of Chapter 11 is where Hilly found Skeeter's satchel and has read what she thinks of the maid's bathrooms. I can only imagine the trouble she will cause now. I feel sure their relationship is doomed forever now.
every three chapters...oops. chippyOn 6/13/09, chippy wrote: > I hope it's ok to do this by chapters. If you can think of > a better way please jump in!!! > > I finally found out that it was not Celia's husband that > Minny was hiding from but the meter man...what a hoot. > > Then her husband does finally meet her and isn't mad after > all. What in the world ...See MoreOn 6/13/09, chippy wrote: > I hope it's ok to do this by chapters. If you can think of > a better way please jump in!!! > > I finally found out that it was not Celia's husband that > Minny was hiding from but the meter man...what a hoot. > > Then her husband does finally meet her and isn't mad after > all. What in the world can be Celia's problem. I've been > lonely and depressed in a new place before and know that > has to be part of it. And with Hilly there Celia will never > be "in". What will she do? What does she do in those rooms? > Such a mystery. > > And I'm terribly afraid for Ms Skeeter and the maids. It > was such a turbulent time back then and they really were > putting their lives on the line doing the interviews. > > Andddddddd now that Skeeter is dating the senator's son I > have to wonder if he'll get on board with her and help be > an agent for change. > > At the end of Chapter 13 is where Hilly found Skeeter's > satchel and has read what she thinks of the maid's > bathrooms. I can only imagine the trouble she will cause > now. I feel sure their relationship is doomed forever now. > > Your thoughts????
I keep thinking about the book Aibileen's son was writing. His girlfriend has it.....shouldn't it be included in these interviews somehow?
The story of Minny working for the family late every night (end of chapt. 12) and then they give her a week off--during which time they pack up and MOVE! Can you imagine such unsteady, insecure, employment? And to be suspect all the time!
On 6/13/09, chippy wrote: > I hope it's ok to do this by chapters. If you can think of > a better way please jump in!!! > > I finally found out that it was not Celia's husband that > Minny was hiding from but the meter man...what a hoot. > > Then her husband does finally meet her and isn't mad after > all. What in the world can be Celia's problem. I've been > lonely and depressed in a new place before and know that > has to be part of it. And with Hilly there Celia will never > be "in". What will she do? What does she do in those rooms? > Such a mystery. > > And I'm terribly afraid for Ms Skeeter and the maids. It > was such a turbulent time back then and they really were > putting their lives on the line doing the interviews. > > Andddddddd now that Skeeter is dating the senator's son I > have to wonder if he'll get on board with her and help be > an agent for change. > > At the end of Chapter 11 is where Hilly found Skeeter's > satchel and has read what she thinks of the maid's > bathrooms. I can only imagine the trouble she will cause > now. I feel sure their relationship is doomed forever now. > > Your thoughts????
I am glad Hilly and Skeeter have come to terms with what Hilly found in the satchel. I can't help but think it is only a temporary fix since things in their society are getting so turbulent.
Still worrying about the safety of the maids and Skeeter.
Very smart of Skeeter to turn Hilly's suspicions to empathy for Hilly...you are so tired, stressed, etc.
On 6/14/09, chippy wrote: > I am glad Hilly and Skeeter have come to terms with what > Hilly found in the satchel. I can't help but think it is > only a temporary fix since things in their society are > getting so turbulent. > > Still worrying about the safety of the maids and Skeeter. >
Ce...See MoreI may have had a revelation but it may be totally off base. Remember when Skeeter heard that Constantine moved to California and something about her having a daughter who was white??? And now Skeeter's boyfriend's ex-fiance has moved to California....you think the ex-fiance might be Constantine's white daughter???? That just came to me.
Celia is breaking my heart. At first we were made to think she was nuts, then an alcoholic and now find out she has had her fourth miscarriage and still has no friends. So sad.
And sad the Elizabeth is going to have another baby when she won't take care of the one she already has.
Thoughts? This is a GREAT book.
I too had never owned a hard back book and this is definitely the most I've ever spent on a book and am sooooooo glad that it is so good. Thanks whoever suggested this!!!
chippyI just read in chapter 21 why Stuart and Patricia broke up and it had nothing to do with Constantine...so the Constantine thing is still a mystery.
And I'm now real worried about Skeeter's mom. Think she has cancer?
Of course none of my other curiosities were true LOL.
Celia, poor Celia. Gosh, why don't people just talk to one another--like Celia and her husband--and realize they have the same goals--to stay together and raise a family?
Skeeter's mom is shrinking away with "ulcers." Again, another situation where if people would just TALK to each other,then Skeeter's mom could get the help/support she needs.
Oh, I am loving this book!
On 6/14/09, chippy wrote: > I may have had a revelation but it may be totally off base. > Remember when Skeeter heard that Constantine moved to > California and something about her having a daughter who > was white??? And now Skeeter's boyfriend's ex-fiance has > moved to California....you think the ex-fiance might be > Constantine's white daughter???? That just came to me. > > Celia is breaking my heart. At first we were made to think > she was nuts, then an alcoholic and now find out she has > had her fourth miscarriage and still has no friends. So sad. > > And sad the Elizabeth is going to have another baby when > she won't take care of the one she already has. > > Thoughts? This is a GREAT book. > > I too had never owned a hard back book and this is > definitely the most I've ever spent on a book and am > sooooooo glad that it is so good. Thanks whoever suggested > this!!!
I'm ...See MoreCouldn't put this book down last night. So sad about Celia and the Benefit. Have to wonder about Mr Johnny. He was raised with the Jr Leaguers but chose to marry a trashy girl and is apparently deeply in love with her. Wonder why that is???
And OMG the pie, I never would've thought that is what Minny did in a million years!!!
I'm so glad Minny telling Celia seems to be making her stronger and I hope it does.
Do you think Celia and Skeeter will become friends since they are the town outcasts?
I think Celia has a...See MoreWell, my wondering about Stuart and his true feelings about segregation was ended in the beginning of ch 20 when he told how he could not reunite with his fiance because of his dad.
Who in the world was the naked attacker? No mention of arrest or police report. Great illustration of Celia's character, though.
I think Celia has a story to tell for the interview book, too. There are white people poorer than _______. fill in the blank with the minority. Sherman Alexie says this in several of his pieces; poor whites living on the edge of the reservation. I think that has been shown in many post civil war movies where the freed slaves come across starving whites who do not own plantations. Celia must have had a hard life before she met Mr. Johnny, serving him hot dogs at the football game. The author refers to To Kill a Mockingbird several times. I see Celia kind of like the white trash daughter whose father put her up to crying rape.
And, yeah, the pie........worse than I thought. I suspected laxatives....ewww. But so good for Celia to have Minny, and the way she wrote the note on the check about twice served. So funny.
On 6/15/09, chippy wrote: > Couldn't put this book down last night. So sad about Celia > and the Benefit. Have to wonder about Mr Johnny. He was > raised with the Jr Leaguers but chose to marry a trashy > girl and is apparently deeply in love with her. Wonder why > that is??? > > And OMG the pie, I never would've thought that is what > Minny did in a million years!!! > > I'm so glad Minny telling Celia seems to be making her > stronger and I hope it does. > > Do you think Celia and Skeeter will become friends since > they are the town outcasts?