The Help

This article is about the novel. For other uses, see The Help (disambiguation).
The Help
AuthorKathryn Stockett
LanguageEnglish
GenreHistorical fiction
PublisherPenguin Books
Publication date
February 10, 2009
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardcover)
Pages524
AwardsGoodreads Choice Award for Best Fiction (2009)
ISBN0-399-15534-1
813/.6 22 ,
LC ClassPS3619.T636 H45 2009

The Help is a historical fiction novel by American author Kathryn Stockett published by Penguin Books in 2009. The story is about African Americans working in white households in Jackson, Mississippi, during the early 1960s.

A USA Today article called it one of the "summer sleeper hits."[1] An early review in The New York Times notes Stockett's "affection and intimacy buried beneath even the most seemingly impersonal household connections," and says the book is a "button-pushing, soon to be wildly popular novel."[2] The Atlanta Journal-Constitution said of the book: "This heartbreaking story is a stunning début from a gifted talent."[3]

Stockett began writing the novel — her first — after the September 11 attacks.[4] It took her five years to complete and was rejected by 60 literary agents, over a period of three years,[5] before agent Susan Ramer agreed to represent Stockett.[6][7] The Help has since been published in 35 countries and three languages.[8] As of August 2011, it had sold seven million copies in print and audiobook editions,[9] and spent more than 100 weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list.[10][11]

The Help's audiobook version is narrated by Jenna Lamia, Bahni Turpin, Octavia Spencer, and Cassandra Campbell. Spencer was Stockett's original inspiration for the character of Minny, and also plays her in the film adaptation.[6]

  1. ^ Memmott, Carol (July 31, 2008). "Kate Stockett's 'The Help' is the hot book this summer". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  2. ^ Maslin, Janet (February 18, 2009). "Racial Insults and Quiet Bravery in 1950s Mississippi". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-10-20.
  3. ^ Dollacker, Sarah Sacha (February 1, 2009). "Segregation tale describes bond of women". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Retrieved 6 December 2009.
  4. ^ Suddath, Claire (11 November 2009). "Kathryn Stockett, Author of The Help". Time. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  5. ^ Maggie, Galehouse. "A Conversation with "The Help" author, Kathryn Stockett". Chron. Retrieved 3 November 2017.
  6. ^ a b Calkin, Jessamy (July 16, 2009). "The maid's tale: Kathryn Stockett examines slavery and racism in America's Deep South". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2009-10-20.
  7. ^ "Kathryn Stockett's 'The Help' Turned Down 60 Times Before Becoming a Best Seller". More Magazine.
  8. ^ Kehe, Marjorie (May 14, 2010). "With book sales still strong, 'The Help' will begin filming". Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
  9. ^ Lewis, Andry (26 August 2011). "'The Help's' Strong Box Office Bumps Up Book Sales". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 6 January 2017.
  10. ^ Williams, Wyatt. "Kathryn Stockett: Life in the belle jar". Creative Loafing Atlanta. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
  11. ^ D'Souza, Karen (2 August 2011). "'The Help' is poised to become chick flick of the summer". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved 4 August 2011.