Reaction to the Ending- Vanessa

          When I first chose to read the Help, I chose it only because it was mostly chosen by the other people. So, I had no idea about what this book was about. When I started to read, it caught my attention right away. The characters all made the story interesting. I loved the helps. They were the characters the book had focused most on and Skeeter. It was fun reading about the process of Skeeter helping the maids so that they could publish the about the hard life that they were living. The book Help that they have created after couple of months was able to make small changes in the society. People were interested in buying the book and people were able to refuse the demands that Miss Hilly would make such as telling them to fire their maids. I liked the fact that the book ended as a happy ending. It was sad when Aibleen had to leave Mae Mobley however, I was happy that Aibleen was able to live a new life. Having an actual job and starting her career even at her age. This book was capable of showing hope and love and has a sense of what has happened in those earlier days. I loved the book. I think it was one of the best books that I have read. 

My Reaction to the Ending

My reaction to the ending of the story was that it ended too quickly! I really liked this book, but i wanted to know more information. what happens now that Skeeter is off to New York? How will the lives of all the maids be different? I really liked this book as a whole though. I think the author, Kathryn Stockett, did an excellent job in writing this book. She included so many different elements to the story-sadness, bitterness, happiness, joy, loss, etc. It was great to be reading from everyone's point of view too. I thoroughly enjoyed reading like Aibileen in her southern accent; it made me feel like I was part of the book and really added to the story. I would recommend this book to anyone, and I can't wait until I see the movie to compare the two!

Shoulda Coulda Woulda

I really wish that Skeeter had told her future Husband that she was writing the book. I get that she was probably afraid of his reaction, but it is no way to build a relationship. Lying only get's you so far and I wish he had been warned ahead of time. It is almost as if Skeeter didn't care about where the relationship was going. I also wish that Celia introduced Minny to her husband earlier, because I think that the reason she had a fourth miscarriage was due to the fact that she had a lot of stress on her because her husband had yet ot find out about Minny (or so she though). In all, there's not much i would change about the book.

My Character

Betty is in her mid 20's and has been working for a tenant in Goose Creek, South Carolina since she was 15. She grew up without a family and was sent to this tenant by her great aunt before she passed away. At the age of 20 Betty went outside to find a small child sitting on her tenant's front stoop and brought her in because the child was shivering and shaking due to the cold night. the tenant didn't know the child, but allowed Betty to keep her and take care of her, as long as she helped out when she was old enough. One day Betty saw an ad in the newspaper about work in the city of Charleston. She was getting tired of working for the same tenant, so off she went into the city to work for a family as their maid. When she arrived in Charleston and to the mansion where the family lived, she could tell it would be a project working for them. they had the dysfunctional look about them that Betty couldn't wait to figure out. This is where her journey as "the Help" begins.

ENDING

I enjoyed the ending of the book, though wish it continued. I wish it told more of the time when the kids had gorwn up. How Mae Mobley treated Aibleen if she saw her, where everyone is in their life, etc. I just grew to hate and hate Ms. Hilly,and by the end of the book I wanted to punch her so much. I grew more and more affectionate of Ms. Cecilia though. I loved how she wrote "for two-slice Hilly" at the bottom of the check. I was so mad at Stuart for taking back his propasal just because of what Ms. Skeeter's been writitng about, but it was semi-okay with me because I didn't want them back together in the first place. At first I hated Ms. Skeeter's mom, but towards the end, I saw from her prospective. Then, when she knew she had cancer, I felt bad. I wasn't starting to like, but I didn't dislike her anymore. I couldn't believe Minny was pregnant, AGAIN, and still working. I always loved Jhonny (Celia's husband) and adore him even more towards the end. He's just so loving. At first I was really nervous that Hilly would be able to prove that the maids were Minny snd Aibeleen, but of course it was no surprise that she never did, or else everyone would know it was her that ate poop. When Hilly said she's send Aibeleen to jail for stealing silver (when she really didn't) it was no surprise she called off the threat when Aibeleen said she'd write to people it was her to ate poop. That was a really smart idea they put that chapter in. I was very sad at the ending though, with Aibeleen leaving, I like how it started and ended with her. She was my favorite. Overall, the ending was very heartfelt, and I loved the added little twists.

Reaction to the Ending

I really enjoyed the ending to this book. I liked the fact that Miss Skeeter finally had the opportunity to pursue her dream of being a writer. It really represented that in the long run, dedication and hard work will eventually pay off. One thing I wish the author had spoken a little more about was Celia's pregnancies. I had hoped that the author would resolve Celia's problems with pregnancy, however there was no definitive answer in the end. Aside from that, I absolutely loved reading this book. It always kept me on the edge of my seat and from time to time I couldn't set it down. Though it took me a while to read, I am definitely glad I had the opportunity to read it and I look forward to seeing the movie soon. :)

Coulda, Shoulda, Woulda

If I could have changed one thing in the plot it would have been that Miss Leefolt would have stuck up for Miss Skeeter as opposed to going along with whatever Miss Hilly said. If Miss Leefolt had been a true friend to Miss Skeeter then she would have had no problem standing up for her, but instead she let Miss Hilly decide who was "acceptable" to be associated with. A perfect example of how Miss Leefolt had failed to be a good friend was when Miss Hilly completely ostracized Miss Skeeter when she read what she had found in her bag. Miss Leefolt could have helped Miss Skeeter's situation by calming Miss Hilly down and reassuring her that what she read was not a big deal; instead she only hyped it up more causing more friction between the two of them. If Miss Leefolt had thought for herself, rather than let Miss Hilly do the thinking and speaking for her, the story's outcome may be completely different.