Not since "The Red Tent," have I read a book that I couldn't put down. I run the oral history center at LSU, and oral histories about the south are literally my life. Ms. Stockett has done a remarkable job capturing various voices and weaving a three dimensional story throughout very dangerous territory. And by dangerous territory, I'm not only referring to the violence of the civil rights era. I'm also referring to her ability to represent various dialects without crossing the lines into insulting stereotyping. And I think she does this well.

Having been the awkward and sometimes accidentally naive and paternalistic "white girl" interviewing African-Americans here in the south about Civil Rights, I can relate to Skeeter. And I am thrilled to see that Ms. Stockett acknowledges the field of oral history, in particular Susan Tucker who wrote "Telling Memories Among Southern Women."

I also enjoy reading some of the critiques of Stockett's work, mainly because I haven't seen one really compelling critique yet. Are there some anachronisms? Sure, but hey, it was fiction, and it worked for me anyway... [edited to remove plot spoiler].

Overall, this is an amazing fictional read that contains just enough reality to be inspirational. My mom suggested it to me. And I'm giving it to all my friends. Read this book. Even if you've never worked or lived in the south, it's still such a wonderful adventure into the age-old warning: never to judge a book (or person or group of people) by the cover.