The Help by Kathryn Stockett

My neighborhood book club chose this novel to read and although I haven’t done a review in a while I wanted to say a few words about The Help. First of all, it’s well done. I love her voices. Amazing and unique. She really does a fabulous job of capturing the three very different personalities. I also thought she got the League thing down pretty well and the general historical references are very clear and take you back the fifty years. But what makes the book is the fabulous subject matter–one near and dear to my own heart as I had a maid as a very young child growing up in the South.

If I had to be really negative I would criticize the ending. So much build up to what could have been an exciting finish and, well, frankly I was disappointed. Something wrong with the pacing and the closure in my opinion. I sometimes like a book that leaves you with possibilities but this didn’t work as well as it could have. Regardless, it’s a very good read–and I think a “must read” if you grew up in the deep South.

Tags: reviews, The Help
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Tags: books
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I just finished reading The Rivers Run Dry by Sibella Giorello. It’s one of the Thomas Nelson blogger giveaways for review. (If you don’t know about that deal go to Thomas Nelson and look it up.)

Here’s my review: Nicely done. It wasn’t at all what I was expecting. When I read the blurb, I thought it would be more of the typical suspense stuff that’s out—which, don’t get me wrong, I love suspense. But Sibella is refreshingly different. Her characters are fresh and quirky. The dialogue snappy. And her main character is aloof but interesting enough to keep you turning the pages and following her rocky path to justice. Finally, a Christian character who isn’t so perfect!

If you like your FBI story with some authentic humor and clever twists, this is for you. Enjoy.

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