I recently read Kathryn Stockett's debut novel, The Help.
It is one of the best books I've read in quite a while.
Man alive, can this woman create amazing, deep, believable characters.
If you are wondering about your characters (are they real enough, different enough, dimensional enough) then this is a must read.
Even if you have characterization down, it's still a fabulous novel.
Set in Jackson Mississippi, 1962, The Help is the journey of three women who come together to tell their story of racial prejudices, family challenges, and personal desires. The book is written in first person from all 3 women (Aibileen, Minny and Skeeter). Each woman has a rotating turn telling her version of the ongoing story. The words are lyrical. The plot is compelling. I swore I was sitting right there in 1962.
So, today's FREE STUFF FRIDAY is a $15 Amazon gift certificate with a strong suggestion to pick this book up. You'll love it, I promise. But, I won't hold you to it -- the winner can do what they will with the certificate.
Leave a comment to be entered in the drawing. This give away will run through the weekend until Sunday night when I will draw a name. Check back Monday morning to see who our lucky winner is.
Questions: Have you heard of this book? Read it? Don't you just love Free Stuff Fridays? Do you have any fun plans this weekend?
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27 comments:
Hi, Tess! It's nice to meet you!
I have heard of this book! It was mentioned by one of the agents at Books and Such, on the blog. It sounds really interesting. I'm going to have to check it out!
Hmm... fun plans. My newest main character just told me her name, which opened up a new tangle of possibilities. I'll probably spend the weekend trying to unravel them!
Sounds like a really good book. I love the ones that make you feel like you're right there. I haven't read or heard of this one.
I'm going out to eat and celebrate with baby son and daughter Jordyn this weekend. Fun, fun, fun.
I keep hearing how great this book is. I'm looking forward to reading it soon. I have no plans this weekend, tho I might take the kids to the beach since it suddenly got hot here!
i don't live far from jackson, ms! weird...i've not heard of her yet. but sounds like a fascinating read. one of the things i'm not so keen about my homestate (now that i've returned) is the racial prejudices. it's just not like this in other parts of the world! but not everyone is prejudice, for sure. anyway...please enter me in the drawing! :)
charactertherapist (at) hotmail (dot) com
Oh - and thanks for sending FictionGroupie my way....she checked out my blog and said you sent her. :)
I haven't heard of it but it sounds interesting and I will check it out. Please, don't enter me in the contest because I won last time and I don't want to be greedy.
Weekend? Hmm. I hope actually that I write. I need to get some serious word count done on the revision. That would feel awesome. Hope your weekend is grand.
Haven't heard of the book :) Love Free Stuff Fridays - great way to start the weekend!
This weekend...is a 3 day one for me. Yay for extra holidays! I hope to read, write, game and relax :) (as well as review, japanese....usual chores...its all a fine balancing act)
I've heard of this book and it sounds great!
And yes, Free Stuff Fridays are fantastic (yay for alliteration!)
My plans for the weekend include working on my WiP and keeping my fingers crossed in hopes of winning!
Have a good weekend :)
Tess - a friend of mine told me the other day "you need, need, need to read this book (The Help)". I've looked at it a time or two but haven't bought it . . .yet. Perhaps it will be the next download on my Kindle!
Woo-hoo for free stuff Fridays!
S
I have this book on my hold list at the library. I've been waiting for it for weeks. Not that I don't have a ton of other stuff to read! But my boss, the library branch manager, read this and loved it, and so far, she's never steered me wrong on a book suggestion.
No fun. Just work. Enter me :)
I've heard of it. I've heard great things about it. I want to read it. I do not like green eggs and ham, but I want to read this book. :D
Friday humor.
~ Wendy
I had 2 friends recommend it just yesterday and now you. It's going on my TBR list immediately. Thanks for the heads up.
Several people have recommended this book to me. I need to add this to my long list.
Oooh, it sounds like a wonderful book. If I don't win your contest, can I just borrow it from you? I'm reading "The middle place" by Kelly Corrigan, and I highly recommend it. It's heart wrenching, but funny at the same time.
And this weekend? Just hauling stuff out for a garage sale tomorrow. Fun? Not really.
I haven't read that book. I do love free-stuff Fridays. And I hope I win the gift certificate because my $5 one went toward Diary of a Wimpy Kid 4. :\
Also, I'm wearing my tiara as I type this. Hope you all have yours on for Tiara Day!
I haven't heard of the book, but will get it the next time I'm at B & N. Perfect Chemistry is a really good teen romance.
I love free-stuff Fridays. It makes up for doing-the-laundry Fridays. :)
Cool, this book sounds wonderful and I'd love to read it, especially if it's purchased with a $15 Amazon gift certificate! (I can use some help with my characterizations.)
What's not to love about Free Stuff Fridays? (I think this is my first).
This weekend I'm working on the next phase of my revision. Working on my main character, actually. She needs a bit more depth. And I'm going to the farmer's market to buy my weekly supply of organic fruits and veggies. And goat milk soap, but only if the soap lady is there.
I saw this book at Costco yesterday, but didn't pick it up because I was in one of those Get-me-the-heck-outta-here moods. Too.Many.People.
Fridays are made for Free stuff!
Shelley
Hey Tess. Yeah, I've recently heard of this book but I haven't had a chance to read it yet. I don't usually pick up books in this genre but lately I've been branching out and opening myself up to a whole new world of wonderfully written material. BTW, I love Fridays!
Yes! Count me in. One of my other writing buddies reviewed it, and it's since been on my TBR list. Sounds awesome, and would be great to have as reference for the reasons you suggested.
Happy Weekend, Tess!
I haven't heard of it, but if you like, I know I will. Big plans? Does cleaning out a house that hasn't been cleaning in 5 years count? No? Dangit.
Oooh, Tess! Yes, I've been wanting to read this for a while! I'd LOVE to win it! And I love your Free Stuff Fridays . . . :)
Enjoy your weekend!
I haven't heard of the book, but sounds great.
As for weekend plans, I'm going to a rock concert out a ranch south of Dallas. Anyone wanna join me? We've had a cool front, it's going to be a balmy 92 instead of 100 degrees. Pleasant, no?
Hi Tess,
I blogged about this book in early July. It was phenomenal! Katie and SF from Plot This know the author from high school! Isn't that cool?
C
I've been looking for a book to read and love supporting debut authors.
As for weekend plans - just work...blah! :)
Sounds like a lot of writing going on this weekend...maybe a little cleaning and hopefuly a little relaxing, too. Drawing will be tomorrow night..good luck to all!
Sorry it's been so long since I've commented. Your Friday giveaways are awesome! The book looks great. =]
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