Help

The Help is the phenomenal international bestseller (that inspired the Oscar nominated film) by Kathryn Stockett, published as a Penguin Essential for the first time

Enter a vanished and unjust world: Jackson, Mississippi, 1962. Where black maids raise white children, but aren't trusted not to steal the silver . . .

There's Aibileen, raising her seventeenth white child and nursing the hurt caused by her own son's tragic death; Minny, whose cooking is nearly as sassy as her tongue; and white Miss Skeeter, home from College, who wants to know why her beloved maid has disappeared.

Skeeter, Aibileen and Minny. No one would believe they'd be friends; fewer still would tolerate it. But as each woman finds the courage to cross boundaries, they come to depend and rely upon one another. Each is in a search of a truth. And together they have an extraordinary story to tell . . .

Review: The other side of Gone with the Wind - and just as unputdownable * The Sunday Times *

A big, warm girlfriend of a book * The Times *

Harper Lee's classic novel To Kill a Mockingbird has changed lives. It's direct descendent The Help has the same potential . . . an astonishing feat of accomplishment * Daily Express *

Outstanding, immensely funny, very compelling, brilliant * Daily Telegraph *

Immensely readable * Observer *

Daring, vitally important and very courageous, I loved and admired The Help. Fantastic -- Marian Keyes

A laugh-out-loud, vociferously angry must-read * Marie Claire *

Touching, disgraceful, funny. Highly recommended * Daily Mail *

Utterly brilliant * She *

Remarkable, shocking, brave, brilliant * Easy Living *

Wonderfully engaging dialogue * Good Housekeeping *

A compelling, great first novel, with soaring highs, poignant side stories and laugh-out-loud anecdotes. You'll be sorry to finish it * Psychologies *

A winning story of courage and truth * Woman & Home *

A brisk, involving read * Metro *

An exciting and atmospheric story -- Rachel Cooke * Observer Books of the Year *

A wise, poignant novel. You'll catch yourself cheering out loud * People *