The book was recommended to me by my hairdresser. It took me WEEKS to get it from the library, there were so many holds. Once I opened it I didn't get anything done until I finished it. I grew up in the Northeast, graduated high school in '60. All the action in the book was merely "TV news" to me. I had a black friend at the time and so many people were disturbed by it. I was clueless to the undercurrents in society at that time. This book was eye-opening, jaw-dropping, heart rending and convicting. Don't we all know a Celia ourselves? Or, a Hildy? We had "Flossie" who came to the house 3 times a week to do the heavy work. I am so thankful we treated her with respect and dignity. She ate at the table with us. Until I read The Help, I had no idea how irregular that was.

The book was very interesting on all levels: family, mute boy, dogs, community. I felt it kept getting darker and darker as the book went on. I had to finish it, but at some points I was going to just put it down. I couldn't find a redeeming point for the darkness. I don't recommend it to people because of the darkness. I like being challenged to look at things different ways, to learn, etc. I did not like being depressed at the end of a book, which I was with TSOES.