I found myself hoping that the people in the book were paper-thin caricatures of the Old South, but news reports from that time period indicate that Stockett is likely true to period sentiments. I also found myself projecting the tale to a much earlier time than the 1960s, that surely by the 1960s people weren't so base, but again history trips me up. I found this depressing, as well as an indication that we're not so very different from current-day terrorists that we despise and fear. Man's capacity for evil to man is staggering.

That said, however, this book celebrates bravery and standing for something and accepting the consequences. It moves well, reads well, and makes you want to be both braver and better.