When I first read the back of the cover, I didn't think this was going to be a book I would enjoy. I have to admit that the idea of reading about black suppression sounded horrible, but once I read the first chapter, I was hooked. I love the way the author writes, I can hear each character's different voice in my head so clearly. The characters are so real to me. I love them, and hate some of them with so much passion (especially Miss Hilly.) I laughed out loud when I read about the pie incident, and about the tea Miss Skeeter's mother made her drink so she wouldn't turn into a lesbian was too funny. I cried at the end when Miss Elizabeth's little girl repeated the things Aibee told her, "I is kind, I is smart, I is important," broke my heart! I am different because of reading this book. The human spirit is an amazing thing. To think things like this were happening only 50 years ago!