Man, I didn't realize how far behind I was in my blogging! Here are my most recently read novels.
Novel #13
Title: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett
Grade: A
Brief Summary: Who knew that one published book could cause so much grief? Three women, two black and one white, make a huge commotion within their town of Jackson, Mississippi when they write and publish a book about black women working for white women. Set against the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, these women all face obstacles in different ways. Abiliene and Minny, both struggle working for women who treat them as a different species. Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan struggles trying to assert her independence in the world, and decides to interview black maids and get their side of the story.
Review: This novel was recommended to me by my older sister, and I am absolutely glad that she did. This book was so interesting. I loved it from the first page. The premise was interesting, the characterization was spot-on, and the conflict was awesome. The only parts that I found to be a little flat at times were when I was reading from Skeeter's point of view. Mostly this was because I wanted to read more about the other two main characters. There were times when her conflict just didn't seem to measure up to the obstacles Abiliene and Minny were facing. But towards the middle of the book, her story did pick up, but then it ended just a little too happily for her. There is one point in her story that I wish would have ended up differently, because I would have liked to see how she handled the situation, which made me a little disappointed (Here's a hint: It has to do with her mother. That's all I'm going to say). I love reading historical fiction, because it helps me catch a little glimpse of the past without having to memorize dates and facts from a textbook. I've read books about the Civil Rights Movement before, but this one will certainly be more memorable for me.
Title: The Help
Author: Kathryn Stockett
Grade: A
Brief Summary: Who knew that one published book could cause so much grief? Three women, two black and one white, make a huge commotion within their town of Jackson, Mississippi when they write and publish a book about black women working for white women. Set against the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, these women all face obstacles in different ways. Abiliene and Minny, both struggle working for women who treat them as a different species. Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan struggles trying to assert her independence in the world, and decides to interview black maids and get their side of the story.
Review: This novel was recommended to me by my older sister, and I am absolutely glad that she did. This book was so interesting. I loved it from the first page. The premise was interesting, the characterization was spot-on, and the conflict was awesome. The only parts that I found to be a little flat at times were when I was reading from Skeeter's point of view. Mostly this was because I wanted to read more about the other two main characters. There were times when her conflict just didn't seem to measure up to the obstacles Abiliene and Minny were facing. But towards the middle of the book, her story did pick up, but then it ended just a little too happily for her. There is one point in her story that I wish would have ended up differently, because I would have liked to see how she handled the situation, which made me a little disappointed (Here's a hint: It has to do with her mother. That's all I'm going to say). I love reading historical fiction, because it helps me catch a little glimpse of the past without having to memorize dates and facts from a textbook. I've read books about the Civil Rights Movement before, but this one will certainly be more memorable for me.
Novel #14
Title: Where the Heart Is
Author: Billie Letts
Grade: B-
Brief Summary: Unlike most superstitious people, Novalee Nation hates the number 7; it has always been unlucky for her. Case in point: while she is seven months pregnant, and 17 years old, her boyfriend leaves her stranded at a Walmart in a small Oklahoma town. Finding nowhere else to go, and finding that the store has everything she needs, Novalee lives in the Walmart. As she begins to explore the town more, Novalee befriends the townspeople and builds strong relationships, which help her on a journey, in which she learns about love and friendship.
Review: Once again, I have found a book where I actually liked the movie adaptation instead of the actual book. I picked this book up thinking "Well I liked the movie, so why not?" and put it down thinking, "Ok, I should have just stuck to the movie." The story tended to drag a little bit, especially because at points in the story, Letts describes what is happening to Willy Jack, Novalee's boyfriend/baby daddy. For me, I wasn't all too interested in his story. I'm not sure if this was Lett's attempt for us to feel sympathy for his character, but I definitely felt he got his in the end. There were some cute parts, some sad, but for the most part, the story just felt like it was going on forever and ever. I did like, however, that Novalee's character starts off as a pleasing pushover into a stronger and determined young woman; this could have been done in a hundred page shorter novel, though.
Title: Where the Heart Is
Author: Billie Letts
Grade: B-
Brief Summary: Unlike most superstitious people, Novalee Nation hates the number 7; it has always been unlucky for her. Case in point: while she is seven months pregnant, and 17 years old, her boyfriend leaves her stranded at a Walmart in a small Oklahoma town. Finding nowhere else to go, and finding that the store has everything she needs, Novalee lives in the Walmart. As she begins to explore the town more, Novalee befriends the townspeople and builds strong relationships, which help her on a journey, in which she learns about love and friendship.
Review: Once again, I have found a book where I actually liked the movie adaptation instead of the actual book. I picked this book up thinking "Well I liked the movie, so why not?" and put it down thinking, "Ok, I should have just stuck to the movie." The story tended to drag a little bit, especially because at points in the story, Letts describes what is happening to Willy Jack, Novalee's boyfriend/baby daddy. For me, I wasn't all too interested in his story. I'm not sure if this was Lett's attempt for us to feel sympathy for his character, but I definitely felt he got his in the end. There were some cute parts, some sad, but for the most part, the story just felt like it was going on forever and ever. I did like, however, that Novalee's character starts off as a pleasing pushover into a stronger and determined young woman; this could have been done in a hundred page shorter novel, though.
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