I wasn't sure what to expect when I started to read this book, I just noticed that everyone seemed to like the book. And now a movie is about to be released based on the book. All I can say is... I was surprised to read how some of the white southern women treated their black maids. Now this was in the 1960s. Some of the story is heartbreaking, and there are some funny parts. Never being from the South, I found this a very sad account of that part and time in history. The character Hilly, a southern white lady, (and the word lady I use loosely) is terribly cruel, very self-centered, selfish, vindictive, greedy and always wanted to control everyone else. The story is written so well, that I grew to dislike Hilly immensely. Why all the other women worshiped the ground she walked on, so to speak, I don't understand. I suppose that is what is called the pecking order.
I liked the character Minny, one of the black maids, she was my kind of woman, she had trouble holding her tongue, and because of that, she couldn't hold a job for very long. I'm afraid in the same situation I would have felt like giving a few of those white women a piece of my mind also. It's a sad state of affairs, that there are probably still class distinctions. I suppose much of a persons character is shaped by the times in which we live, and the area of the country in which we live.
Anyway, it was to say the least, a very interesting book to read, and an eye opener for me.
I guess I am one of the few people who did not love this book, but I did not hate it either. Therefore, I am giving the book 3***
This book is from my personal library.
