This is an excellent book about black maids and their white women bosses. Most of it takes place in Jackson Mississippi in 1964. Stockett captures the detail of this narrow and disgraceful universe in every sentence. A deep racist attitude defines the US to this day (we have only to look at Katrina for proof).
The story is told by several of the black maids and a young white women who wants to be a writer and decides to write their story. Mississippi in 1964 is a dangerous place for anyone who dares even the slightest defiance of the white women's rules so the project must be carried out with great secrecy. Even having a "high yellow" baby was not allowed as it blurred the boundaries of race. The baby had to be put into an orphanage.
Stockett's characters are wonderful and I was able to understand if not really feel the humiliation and fear of their daily lives. I also felt some guilt and shame for being white and maybe not always being as enlightened as I should have been.
I didn't put this book down.
Other great books with US race theme:
Inheriting the Trade*** by Thomas DeWolf (non-fiction)
Slaves in the Family**** by Edward Ball (non-fiction)
Book of Negroes** by Laurence Hill
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