Nancy’s review of The Help > Likes and Comments
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I have this book, waiting to be read and bought it from a secondhand bookstore! Nice review and I can't wait to read it!
Great review, Nancy! I too have listened to an adapted/abridged version of this novel on BBC Radio 4. I really enjoyed it. I've just heard a little whisper about a film adaptation...
Kwesi: I hope you enjoy the book. Part of me thinks I would have liked a little more history, something about the radical groups of the time, like the Black Panthers. I also would have liked some of the "bad" characters to have more depth. These flaws were minor, though, and certainly didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story.
Fiona: I think this very character-based story would make an excellent film with the right cast. I wonder who will direct it.
Nancy wrote: "I think this very character-based story would make an excellent film with the right cast. I wonder who will direct it..."
I'll let you know if I manage to find out. I agree that, with the right director and cast, the film adaptation could be very special indeed.
Great review Nancy. I have a copy on audio and will have to give it a listen soon.
Fiona: I'm not sure who would be best suitable to direct this film. As for cast, I think a lot of well-known actors would probably detract from the story.
Thanks, BarkLess. I haven't listened to audio books in quite a while and am glad this was the first I picked up after such a long absence. The narration was excellent!
Kwesi, I have The Secret Life of Bees and plan to read it soon. Did you enjoy it?
I listened to the audio book. The voice actor did a great job, and I loved the book very much. I am usually weary of popular books, no worries with this one.
Nancy, yap you can find love in a place you will never expect.
For some reason, I own this book, started it & got somehow distracted. Your review really helped me refocus. This time I needed some story summary (I don't always) to understand the point & help me tackle the read.
So many thanks.
Kwesi, thanks for the reading recommendation. I've stacked The Secret Life of Bees upon my to-read shelf.
Nancy, I'll be happy just as long as this novel is skilfully and sensitively adapated. And as you are quite aware, my love of film focuses away from the gloss of Hollywood, so yes I agree with you that it would be better, more appropriate to cast some less-predictable, less well-known actors.
I came across Coming of Age in Mississippi after reading other reviews and am thinking I'd like to read this and make a comparison.
I think that that is an inspired co-read with The Help. Please write what you think of the two after you're finished!
Excellent review Nancy; you made some very important points. I love Moody's book.
Thanks, Ellie. I learned of Moody's book from another reviewer of The Help. It's very interesting to read about the same period in history from two entirely different perspectives.
Thanks, Drbf. As much as I loved the story, I'm afraid the movie won't be as good. Has anyone seen it yet?
Great review Nancy. Totally agree. I also gave this book 5 stars, and the movie (which I had to see the day it came out) was very good 3 1/2 -4 stars out of 5. Though of course, it could not reach the level of depth and detail the book attained, it is still worthy of viewing and quite well done. Please let us know what you think after seeing it.
Thanks,Gwen. :) I haven't seen the movie yet, but will post here as soon as I do.
I read the book and agree with your great comments but also heard from my Dad just what a great experience the book on CD was... high praise for the talented ones who produced it.
I actually did listen to the audio version. The performances were phenomenal.
I agree with you! I absolutely loved this book! I agree that it does teach us about how cruel it was for certain people back in the 60's. The Help is something that everyone should have a chance to read.
Saw the movie and it was great! I'm afraid to read the book now. Usually I read the book then watch the movie and then hate the movie because I preferred the book. So not sure if it will have ruined the book for me, or I'd like it just as much or more....?
If I see the movie first and really enjoyed it, I'll read the book. If I read the book first, I usually never get around to seeing the movie.
Nancy: I liked your rating of the book... To me, this is a American classic read.. Dripping with the bipolar zietgeist of Jackson, Miss. in 1962 - 63..
A fun and often funny story design, a different approach conceptually, a study of courage that leads to revolt and a gripping telling of a horrible world of the abuse of humans by humans who have power/wealth on their side...
It is the type of read that will age wonderfully and will someday, be right up there with Harper Lee's, "To Kill A Mockingbird" on all the "Jim Crow" reading lists..
I happen to believe, the book's theme and body of work transfers perfectly forward until this very day - to our Dreamy N.P.R. Yuppie Culture of Separation.. With its acceptance of ugly myth and injustice - that are right in front of us all in our daily lives... It paints the mouth breathing privileged class of today just as well as did those of the Jackson Miss. of the early 1960s.. For today, the theys, as usual, choose to ignore the issues of the abuse of others - issues, that enable their special lives - otherwise it would just ruin their day.. Wouldn't it!!!
I protest...The inclusion of history was necessary and well timed - it was not forced.. You want forced history - read the digressions of pre-Wiki Melville or Hugo.. YIKES!!!
There is a new book released that you'd probably like: Jade Conquer http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KDX3QK0
Did you read The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd?
I liked it, especially when I understood that it was loosely based on a true story.
Thanks, I'll check it out. I have The Secret Life of Bees on my shelf somewhere. Have you read that one?
4.24 avg rating — 52,028 ratings for Invention
I too listened to the audio book and I was sorry to see it end. I have no doubt I enjoyed the audio performances more than I would have reading it. Absolutely wonderful.
I hope your non-reading co-working isn't majoring in English!
Cecily wrote: "I hope your non-reading co-working isn't majoring in English!"
No, he's not majoring in English. But this book has made a reader of my former co-worker. Even though we no longer work together, we still keep in touch occasionally and chat about books.
That's wonderful!
It also goes against a line I just read in Atwood's "The Blind Assassin" (but didn't note in my review), along the lines of there being nothing like a bit of smut to encourage reading.
Sometimes that's just what it takes to break down non-readers. I'd like to think that time and an open mind would eventually expose them to higher quality literature.
Nancy wrote: "I'd like to think that time and an open mind would eventually expose them to higher quality literature."
Yes, but even if it doesn't, they've still learned to read for pleasure (and although this may not be high quality literature, it isn't trashy, either).
Found it: “There’s nothing like a shovelful of dirt to encourage literacy.” Not that it applies here.
It's always so nice to see a review you missed the first go around. Yours is superb. I'm glad this one popped up in my feed. Simply superb.
Lawyer wrote: "It's always so nice to see a review you missed the first go around. Yours is superb. I'm glad this one popped up in my feed. Simply superb."
Thanks for your kind words! I'm sorry I'm only noticing this now.
You overpaid. I'm pretty sure I could have fished you a freebie out of the dumpster.
Nancy wrote: "$1.99 on Amazon!"
I didn't pay for it! Just informing friends of the deal. I borrowed the audio version from the library.
Smart choice. And I admire your public service.
Nancy wrote: "I didn't pay for it! Just informing friends of the deal. I borrowed the audio version from the library."
Great review Nancy and I agree 100%
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Mar 29, 2011 11:31AM
I have this book, waiting to be read and bought it from a secondhand bookstore! Nice review and I can't wait to read it!
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Great review, Nancy! I too have listened to an adapted/abridged version of this novel on BBC Radio 4. I really enjoyed it. I've just heard a little whisper about a film adaptation...
Kwesi: I hope you enjoy the book. Part of me thinks I would have liked a little more history, something about the radical groups of the time, like the Black Panthers. I also would have liked some of the "bad" characters to have more depth. These flaws were minor, though, and certainly didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story. Fiona: I think this very character-based story would make an excellent film with the right cast. I wonder who will direct it.
Nancy wrote: "I think this very character-based story would make an excellent film with the right cast. I wonder who will direct it..."I'll let you know if I manage to find out. I agree that, with the right director and cast, the film adaptation could be very special indeed.
Great review Nancy. I have a copy on audio and will have to give it a listen soon.
Fiona: I'm not sure who would be best suitable to direct this film. As for cast, I think a lot of well-known actors would probably detract from the story. Thanks, BarkLess. I haven't listened to audio books in quite a while and am glad this was the first I picked up after such a long absence. The narration was excellent!
Kwesi, I have The Secret Life of Bees and plan to read it soon. Did you enjoy it?
I listened to the audio book. The voice actor did a great job, and I loved the book very much. I am usually weary of popular books, no worries with this one.
Nancy, yap you can find love in a place you will never expect.
For some reason, I own this book, started it & got somehow distracted. Your review really helped me refocus. This time I needed some story summary (I don't always) to understand the point & help me tackle the read.So many thanks.
Kwesi, thanks for the reading recommendation. I've stacked The Secret Life of Bees upon my to-read shelf. Nancy, I'll be happy just as long as this novel is skilfully and sensitively adapated. And as you are quite aware, my love of film focuses away from the gloss of Hollywood, so yes I agree with you that it would be better, more appropriate to cast some less-predictable, less well-known actors.
I came across Coming of Age in Mississippi after reading other reviews and am thinking I'd like to read this and make a comparison.
I think that that is an inspired co-read with The Help. Please write what you think of the two after you're finished!
Excellent review Nancy; you made some very important points. I love Moody's book.
Thanks, Ellie. I learned of Moody's book from another reviewer of The Help. It's very interesting to read about the same period in history from two entirely different perspectives.
Thanks, Drbf. As much as I loved the story, I'm afraid the movie won't be as good. Has anyone seen it yet?
Great review Nancy. Totally agree. I also gave this book 5 stars, and the movie (which I had to see the day it came out) was very good 3 1/2 -4 stars out of 5. Though of course, it could not reach the level of depth and detail the book attained, it is still worthy of viewing and quite well done. Please let us know what you think after seeing it.
Thanks,Gwen. :) I haven't seen the movie yet, but will post here as soon as I do.
I read the book and agree with your great comments but also heard from my Dad just what a great experience the book on CD was... high praise for the talented ones who produced it.
I actually did listen to the audio version. The performances were phenomenal.
I agree with you! I absolutely loved this book! I agree that it does teach us about how cruel it was for certain people back in the 60's. The Help is something that everyone should have a chance to read.
Saw the movie and it was great! I'm afraid to read the book now. Usually I read the book then watch the movie and then hate the movie because I preferred the book. So not sure if it will have ruined the book for me, or I'd like it just as much or more....?
If I see the movie first and really enjoyed it, I'll read the book. If I read the book first, I usually never get around to seeing the movie.
Nancy: I liked your rating of the book... To me, this is a American classic read.. Dripping with the bipolar zietgeist of Jackson, Miss. in 1962 - 63..A fun and often funny story design, a different approach conceptually, a study of courage that leads to revolt and a gripping telling of a horrible world of the abuse of humans by humans who have power/wealth on their side...
It is the type of read that will age wonderfully and will someday, be right up there with Harper Lee's, "To Kill A Mockingbird" on all the "Jim Crow" reading lists..
I happen to believe, the book's theme and body of work transfers perfectly forward until this very day - to our Dreamy N.P.R. Yuppie Culture of Separation.. With its acceptance of ugly myth and injustice - that are right in front of us all in our daily lives... It paints the mouth breathing privileged class of today just as well as did those of the Jackson Miss. of the early 1960s.. For today, the theys, as usual, choose to ignore the issues of the abuse of others - issues, that enable their special lives - otherwise it would just ruin their day.. Wouldn't it!!!
I protest...The inclusion of history was necessary and well timed - it was not forced.. You want forced history - read the digressions of pre-Wiki Melville or Hugo.. YIKES!!!
There is a new book released that you'd probably like: Jade Conquer http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KDX3QK0
Did you read The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd?
I liked it, especially when I understood that it was loosely based on a true story.
Thanks, I'll check it out. I have The Secret Life of Bees on my shelf somewhere. Have you read that one?
4.24 avg rating — 52,028 ratings for Invention
I too listened to the audio book and I was sorry to see it end. I have no doubt I enjoyed the audio performances more than I would have reading it. Absolutely wonderful.
I hope your non-reading co-working isn't majoring in English!
Cecily wrote: "I hope your non-reading co-working isn't majoring in English!"No, he's not majoring in English. But this book has made a reader of my former co-worker. Even though we no longer work together, we still keep in touch occasionally and chat about books.
That's wonderful!It also goes against a line I just read in Atwood's "The Blind Assassin" (but didn't note in my review), along the lines of there being nothing like a bit of smut to encourage reading.
Sometimes that's just what it takes to break down non-readers. I'd like to think that time and an open mind would eventually expose them to higher quality literature.
Nancy wrote: "I'd like to think that time and an open mind would eventually expose them to higher quality literature."Yes, but even if it doesn't, they've still learned to read for pleasure (and although this may not be high quality literature, it isn't trashy, either).
Found it: “There’s nothing like a shovelful of dirt to encourage literacy.” Not that it applies here.
It's always so nice to see a review you missed the first go around. Yours is superb. I'm glad this one popped up in my feed. Simply superb.
Lawyer wrote: "It's always so nice to see a review you missed the first go around. Yours is superb. I'm glad this one popped up in my feed. Simply superb."Thanks for your kind words! I'm sorry I'm only noticing this now.
You overpaid. I'm pretty sure I could have fished you a freebie out of the dumpster.Nancy wrote: "$1.99 on Amazon!"
I didn't pay for it! Just informing friends of the deal. I borrowed the audio version from the library.
Smart choice. And I admire your public service.Nancy wrote: "I didn't pay for it! Just informing friends of the deal. I borrowed the audio version from the library."
Great review Nancy and I agree 100%
