Cover of The Help in the U.S.
by Beth Arnold
I didn't want to read this book. I thought the idea of it seemed wrong, and I expected not to like it. But several friends and the Lone Wolf convinced me to go ahead.
I will happily tell you that oh, how I was wrong! I plain and ecstactically loved The Help when I read it last year!
And now The Help has crossed the ocean to France to win the 42è Prix des Lectrices de ELLE. Imagine the translation?! It would take a gifted tranlator to capture the dead-on 1960's Southern dialect and rhythms in French.
These posters are in the Metro. I love the bold graphics and colors that blast the announcement.
I'm wondering if the French understand the nuances of this mightily not just American but Southern book. I'm sure there are Americans who don't "get" them. My daughter says that the last acceptable prejudice is against Southerners.
It took Kathryn Stockett trying 60 agents to find the one to represent this book. Their success is what I call justice.
Congratulations, Kathryn Stockett! Now come on over, and we'll have a toast to little ole you and your wonderful book!
---Beth Arnold in Paris
