paradox

while i agree that the help has some problems - it isn't a perfect book, or a particularly deep book - i did definitely enjoy reading it. i worry, though, that the author is attempting to right the wrongs she feels she committed as a child - and her family committed before that - by writing this book. and that annoys me a bit. get some distance, chica. write about something you know, not something you feel like your family history compels you to write.

i did like this passage, though - from the nonfiction portion at the end. i've had quite similar conversations before, and this mimics my thoughts on the south. i wouldn't trade growing up in the south for anything, and those who didn't can't understand what it is like to be fiercely protective at times and ashamed at others:

to the people who smiled and said, "i've heard it's beautiful down there," i'd say, "my hometown is number three in the nation for gang-related murders." to people who said, "god, you must be glad to be out of that place," i'd bristle and say, "what do you know? it's beautiful down there."

mississippi is like my mother. i am allowed to complain about her all i want, but god help the person who raises an ill word about her around me, unless she is their mother, too.

(kathryn stockett, the help, pg. 449-450)