Book to Film Club July 2011: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

With the end of the month brings the time to reflect back on our book selection for the Book to Film Club!

The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Set in Mississippi during the early 1960s the centred on unlikely friendships and courageous women. That was the description I found when researching, but it's clearly to say it follows the lives of African American maids and the their experiences and challenges working in white households. The book has a unique narrative style of multiple narrators, which I quite enjoyed. The Help was easily one of the most popular & current selections in this years Book to Film Club as it took me quite a bit to get it from the library but thankfully it arrived right in time and I just flew through reading it even during the upheaval of my recent move. That's saying something!

Things to ponder on the book:

• Did you enjoy reading it?
• Was it what you were expecting?
• What did you know about the book before reading it?
• Did you enjoy the format?
• What did you think about the writing style?
• What did you take away from reading the book?
• Is there anything you would change about the book?
• Who would you recommend the book to?

About the upcoming film adaptation:

• How do you feel about the casting of the film?
• What do you hope to be the focus of the film?
• What do you think is essential to keep from the book in the film?
• What do you think they can trim away from the book to the film?
• What do you think the challenges of the adaptation may be?
• Do you have any hesitations on the adaptation?
• What are you most looking forward to about the film adaptation?

If this was a re-read:

• How did reading it this time compare with your previous time reading it?
• Did you notice anything different this time round?
• Did your interest and focus stay on the same characters and moments, or shift?

If you choose to shelf this out one:

• Was there a barrier (genre, focus, time period, reception) ?
• Would you consider trying it later?
• Have you already read it?
• Will you join us again in August for The Three Musketeers? (I hope you will!)

Book reviews from Book to Film Clubbers:
Shannon

Film Adaptation
The film Stars Emma Stone (Paper Man) as Skeeter, Viola Davis as Aibileen, Octavia Spencer as Minny, Jessica Chastain (The Tree of Life) as Celia and Bryce Dallas Howard as Hilly. Adapted & directed by Tate Taylor (Pretty Ugly People).
Film Release Date: August 10, 2011 (shifted to a Wednesday release date). See the trailer here

If you haven't yet joined the Book to Film Club, you can hop on the fun train at any time! Sign up for updates here. Our next book selection for August 2011 is The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.