1000 White Women

March Book of The Month
1000 White Women: Journal of May Dodd

An American western with a most unusual twist, this is an imaginative fictional account of the participation of May Dodd and others in the controversial "Brides for Indians" program, a clandestine U.S. government^-sponsored program intended to instruct "savages" in the ways of civilization and to assimilate the Indians into white culture through the offspring of these unions. May's personal journals, loaded with humor and intelligent reflection, describe the adventures of some very colorful white brides (including one black one), their marriages to Cheyenne warriors, and the natural abundance of life on the prairie before the final press of the white man's civilization. Fergus is gifted in his ability to portray the perceptions and emotions of women. He writes with tremendous insight and sensitivity about the individual community and the political and religious issues of the time, many of which are still relevant today. This book is artistically rendered with meticulous attention to small details that bring to life the daily concerns of a group of hardy souls at a pivotal time in U.S. history.

The Help

Oh, I loved this book so much! It took me a while to get through it because of schoolwork, every night I had this conflict read until 4AM because its already 3:30 or wait till I really have time. Well school won, but I finally finished it and I finished it in the most perfect place. New York City at age 24, just like Miss Skeeter.

I felt like I could relate the most to Aibileen. She is the kind of person who is always there for others and always "tryin to do good by 'em," and I feel myself in that position a lot. I worry so much about what other people think or how people will perceive me, like the women in the junior league, that I forget what a great friend I am or how I try so hard to make others feel good. I loved how she treated Mae Mobley (yeah what kind of name is that!?) and how she tried so hard not to let her be influenced by prejudice.

Growing up in rural Idaho I didn't know much about segregation or understand much passed Martian Luther King Jr or Rosa Parks. This book actually sparked a lot of amazing conversations with my mother, who grew up in Southern Iowa. She told me stories about how she was in a play with a black boy and my grandpa wouldn't let them practice at her home. It wasn't until he heard my mom and Ray sing together that his feelings changed. It really struck me how when we are faced with a more personal side of someone, then we hear them sing, read their account of working for a white family, that we really begin to see passed these boundaries that someone places in our way. After the book came out a lot of women realized that their housekeepers where more than just housekeepers to them. I loved when Lou Ann said she wouldn't fire Louvinia, and when Mister Johnny told Minny you'll always have a job here. Those successes, and breaking the boundaries between black and white became my favorite moments.

I also related quite well to Skeeter's relationship with her mother. I feel that it is similar to the relationship I have with my grandmother, and I sometimes wondered if my mom felt like Skeeter some of the time because my grandma is so similar to Skeeter's mom. My favorite moment was with the Shine o matic, and the first results i laughed so hard.

In closing these thoughts I would just like to say I'm so glad we chose this book, and if I was in the junior league I wouldn't vote hilly holbrook as president.

The Help

I loved this book as well. I flew through it and stayed up reading chapter after chapter. I love this time in history - the music, the political issues, the fashion, the design.

It always is so amazing to me that things were so segregated. These times were only 40-50 years ago, they were in our parents and grandparents time.

I also love that the story really honed into the lives of the women. I love stories about women and their trials and triumphs. I feel like I can put myself in their shoes and really relate or see into their lives. I loved this book that it gave us a good insight into many different women's lives.

I really felt for Abileen having lost her son and in a way her daughter. She was pretty much alone and the family she "helped" became her family. She was such a sweet and humble character.

I found Miss Celia's situation interesting. She came from a modest background and married Johnny putting her into a so called "higher class." Yet, she didn't fit in and everybody knew it. I couldn't help but feel so embarrassed for her at the charity event. She was such a sweet lady to Minny, she didn't treat her like "help" she wanted to be her friend. It seemed like she may have joined Skeeter?

Skeeter- I loved Skeeter, I want to say I would be most like her, but in actuality I don't know if I would have those kind of guts. As much as I want to change the world and make a difference I usually take the safe side. When it comes to fight or flight, I usually take the flight approach.

I agree with Abby that I don't think she knew quite what she was getting into. I thought it was going to work out with Stuart. I thought he was better than that, I thought he would have been ok with her writing and her ambitions.

Hilly - I can't believe Hilly had so much influence over all the other ladies! I guess we have all had one of those friends in our lives. I think mine was in middle school I would have done anything - just to be her friend and one of the "cool girls." I was glad to see some of the ladies sticking to their guns at the end and not firing their "help."

Elizabeth - Reminds me of so many women (and men) today who let other things in their lives be a priority over family. I see it at work with my bosses kids who spend maybe an hour and half with their parents a day and when they are at the office - all they want is their moms attention and praise. It would be tough to grow up with a mom like that. Thankfully Mae Mobley had Abileen to sort of be her mother figure. (And what kind of name is Mae Mobley??)

Anyway, I loved this book. I have been done for a week now and still think about it and analyze it. Good Read! Can't wait for many more to come!

My Thoughts on The Help

I have to be honest...I finished this book like 3 weeks ago. I loved it. There are so many reasons why it kept my attention and had me hooked. I really felt like I could relate to so many characters in this book. So here is my run down:

The beginning of the book really grabbed me because I lived in Jackson, MS for 2 years. Well, technically I lived in Madison (which is where Miss Celia lives), but I worked in Jackson. I had friends that lived in Jackson. I liked that I was able to picture the neighborhoods and streets she was talking about. Of course, she was describing them as they were 40 years before I lived there, but I felt like I was there. I love that she was so specific about the streets and the names and the neighborhoods.

What I really enjoyed most was her characterization of people. Of course I loved Miss Skeeter. She is everything I would have wanted to be if I had lived in the civil rights era. The idealist in me wishes I could find a cause that would make a difference. I think the best part about her though really is her innocence. I don't think she had any idea when she started her project what she was doing. I love when she talks about how hard it is to hear them mention comments she has made that she never thought would offend people. It makes me think of how often we do this to people in our own lives.

Although my intentions would be to be like Skeeter, I know that really I would be hard headed like Minny. She is superwoman on the outside, but she is still human. She still worries that she won't have a job next week, but she sticks up for herself.

I think there is even a little bit of Hilly in all of us. This book really did make me think about how much we are like this Junior League even now. While it might not be as formal as this, there is always an agenda. You always want to be liked. You always want the approval of your peers. That is just human. I think that especially since I got married, I feel a need to be seen as a contributing member of society, a good wife, and be accepted by those around me, especially my friends. I don't want to fall behind or get left behind. Throughout the book there is an inner struggle in Miss Skeeter. She wants to write the book for her career and her new found relationships with the women she is meeting with, but she is always wanting to be with her friends and have their acceptance as well.

I have been thinking about the protagonist/antagonist of this book. What I have decided is that it is not just one person, but that the ideas and ideals that take these positions. There is obviously two very distinct ideas in this book. One deals with loving all people and the other deals with only loving yourself. It is obvious in the end which one will win (if you can't already guess). I do think that each character in the book represents a specific identity or personality trait. I can't end without talking about Aibileen. She represents love. Love for others and self respect enough to love herself. In the end, she is really the kind of woman that we should all strive to be: brave, strong, self respecting, loving, nurturing, hard working.

I loved this book! I am glad that we chose it for the first one!

PS I have a suggestion for our next book. I have heard that the book One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus, is really good. Check it out and let me know what you guys think!

The Completion Date

So I got my book in the mail yesterday! I started reading it and got through about 35 pages. The book is 450 pages long - I think we should extend our deadline and try to be finished by the last day in February. Any objection?

DUE DATE: FEBRUARY 28

Also, we should choose our next book by February 21 so we can find a copy with in the week. Who wants to choose?!

The Help

The first book of the book club is The Help, unless anyone has already read it or is not interested. I wanted to read this book when I read a blog post on "A Cup of Jo" where she asked her readers to give her a new read. Out of 297 responses, it seemed like half of them suggested this book. It makes me think it must be a good read!

I found this book on amazon for $9.50 - -
http://www.amazon.com/Help-Kathryn-Stockett/dp/0399155341

From Publishers Weekly
Starred Review. What perfect timing for this optimistic, uplifting debut novel (and maiden publication of Amy Einhorn's new imprint) set during the nascent civil rights movement in Jackson, Miss., where black women were trusted to raise white children but not to polish the household silver. Eugenia Skeeter Phelan is just home from college in 1962, and, anxious to become a writer, is advised to hone her chops by writing about what disturbs you. The budding social activist begins to collect the stories of the black women on whom the country club sets relies and mistrusts enlisting the help of Aibileen, a maid who's raised 17 children, and Aibileen's best friend Minny, who's found herself unemployed more than a few times after mouthing off to her white employers. The book Skeeter puts together based on their stories is scathing and shocking, bringing pride and hope to the black community, while giving Skeeter the courage to break down her personal boundaries and pursue her dreams. Assured and layered, full of heart and history, this one has bestseller written all over it.
What should our "read by" timeline be?