Thursday, January 27

Dixie Lit


You would have to have lived either under a rock or way above the Mason Dixon line {like, Canada} not to have heard about Kathryn Stockett's The Help. Set in turbulent 1960's Mississippi, Ms. Stockett highlights the complex relationships between employers and their employees. An underlying message of the employer valuing "the help" as family, yet keeping a distance and drawing an unmistakable line because of skin color.

I am in the midst of reading it for the second time and love it more and more with each flip of the page. Ms. Stockett has done an exceptional job of writing from the perspective of three characters, two of which are African American. Her ability to weave the lives of these characters, all with multifaceted backstories and in a convincing voice makes her a wonderful additon to Southern literature.

The much anticipated movie will arrive in theaters in August of this year. The fabulous Emma Stone will be playing the role of Eugenia "Skeeter" Phelan and will be surrounded by a wonderful cast including Sissy Spacek, Viola Davis and Bryce Dallas Howard. I am truly looking forward to the performance of local actress, Octavia Spencer, in the role of Minny and the addition of South Carolinian, Anna Camp. Ms. Stockett even makes an appearance in her Junior League finest! Keep your eyes peeled for the movie release date. Get the book at Amazon.com.

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