While it is based on real events and experiences Stockett witnessed growing up in Mississippi, it is a fictionalized account. The characters, their stories, and the specific events are all products of her imagination.
It's important to note that the novel, while not based on a specific true story, does address important themes and historical events. It explores the complex realities of race, gender, and class in the American South during the Civil Rights era. While the events are fictionalized, they resonate with the lived experiences of many African Americans during this time.