To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

***I am fifty years old and asking myself why I've never read this book before. It is such a beautiful story, incredibly well-written, humorous, tragic, and a wonderful tale of growing up. The narrator of the story is 6-year-old Scout Finch who tells of life in a sleepy southern town, running around with her brother, Jem, and summer friend, Dill. To read of how these children grow up in the 30's and lose their innocence of human nature and, at the same time, have it reaffirmed was a moving experience. Atticus Finch is another memorable character, full of dignity and integrity. At first, you see him as an older father of young children who is seemingly absent-minded and indifferent. As the story progresses, you realize how much he truly loves his children and wishes to teach them to become principled adults. I imagine that when the book was published in 1960, at the beginning of the Civil Rights movement, it created quite a stir. I'm impressed that Lee won a Pulitzer Prize for it. I especially liked the comparison she made to Hitler's bigotted treatment of the Jews to the way the people of Maycombe treated the town's black population. The message is still just as pertinent to our way of life now.
***At the end of the book, Scout and Atticus are discussing a story he had just read to her,
"An' they chased him 'n' never could catch him 'cause they didn't know what he looked like, an' Atticus, when they finally saw him, why he hadn't done any of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice . . . ."
His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me.
"Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."
***I really loved this book. I fully understand why it is considered an American classic. I've not loved every Pulitzer Prize book I've read, but this one truly deserved it. Now, I want to see the movie. No, I haven't seen it either. And Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, splendid casting!!!!
Rating: 5
14 Comments:
Framed said...
I know I'm stretching calling this a "K" title, but it is my list.
SuziQoregon said...
I think it qualifies as a K title :-) I re-read this for the first time in years as part of my A to Z list this year. I was amazed all over again how great this book was. I hadn't read it since I was a teenager.I've heard that there's a new audiobook version out that's read by Sissy Spacek - I'd love to hear her read this.
Les said...
I read this for the first time a few years ago (in my 40s) and loved it, too! What a gem of a book. The movie's quite good, too. Enjoy!
Lisa said...
I have tried to read this book at least 1,000 times (ok maybe a SLIGHT exaggeration) but have never gotten into it. I don't know why. I have a brain block for it or something! Anyway, it's inspiring to hear two of you reading it for the first time in mid-life -- so maybe I'll still get to it. I should just put it on my TBR list, and then the pressure's on!! :)
booklogged said...
O drat it all - I just posted a comment and blogger lost it! So aggravating when that happens.Anyway, a lovely review, Framed. I haven't read this since I was teenager. Now I want to read it again. Gregory Peck plays the perfect Atticus.
Nessie said...
The movie is great. In class I played the 'victim' it was soooo amazingly fun. I actually got casted in the school play for doing that...I got the 50th anniversary edition for Christmas one year and it made the most amazing present. I was so happy to receive it even though I owned a trade edition. Its one of those books you wanna have a hardcover for because its just that good.
Framed said...
SusieQ - I love Sissy Spacek. Les - I'm glad I'm not the only one who missed out on this book in high school. I probably appreciated it more now than I would have then.Lisa - I thought it started out a little slow and the change in my interest level was so gradual that I can even pinpoint when I really got into it.Book - Are you being profane on my blog? I think much worse when my comments get swallowed up in blog world. Thanks for the compliment.Nessie - I watch movies so little but I really want to see this one. I love Gregory Peck.
Tristi Pinkston said...
A friend of mine recently told me that Harper Lee and Truman Capote were friends growing up, and that "To Kill a Mockingbird" is the story of Harper growing up and that Dill is Truman Capote. Sort of interesting!
Nessie said...
Wow! I am gonna check up on that. Will post if I find any information on it. It would unbelievable no?
Bellezza said...
To Kill A Mockingbird was required reading, and still is, at our High School. I think that may be a bit young, because it is such an outstanding book. It has too many important concepts that teenagers might miss. I agree with you, on what an awesome book it is. Oh, and by the way, Chicago made it their book of the year to read a few summers ago.
Cassie said...
Truman Capote and Harper Lee were friends and I've heard the same thing that a character is patterned after him and that he did the same thing with her in one of his books. I thought it was Boo Radley though.
Cassie said...
oh and Framed I'm glad you realized about your title. That was the first thing I thought to comment about but your right, it is your list.
Joy said...
You are not alone. I picked this up only a few years ago. It definitely was a winner with me as well! :)
ML said...
I loved this book! After I read the last sentence, I wanted to start reading it all over again.Also, you're not the only "late" reader of this book. I only just read it last year.

Justice Hall by Laurie R King

It's been so long since I've done a book review. It's just a busy time of year not a book that took forever to read. Justice Hall is part of a mystery series. My advice is to start with the first book and read them in order. I think I would have enjoyed this book even more had I done that. There are a lot of references to previous mysteries that I was clueless about. That's my disclaimer, now I can say that I really like this mystery. Mary Russell is the younger wife of Sherlock Holmes--yes, the Sherlock Holmes. I don't know how much younger, probably information contained in another book. But they have a collaborative marriage in which they work together to solve mysteries and it's a fun relationship to read about. The story takes place in the 1920's after the lst World War. Justice Hall belongs to a old friend who just inherited it. Of course, they knew this friend as someone else and had no idea that he was a member of one of England's finest families. The way King describes the actual home is fantastic. I enjoyed reading about this time period and how societal mores are changing. The actual mystery involves finding out how the previous heir to the dukedom died and if anyone caused the death to take place. (I'm trying not to give too much away.) There are some very interesting plot twists that just make the book that much more interesting. I would like to read more of King's Mary Russell and Sherlock Holmes series. This one was a well-written, well-thought-out mystery.
Rating: 4.25
5 Comments:
Nessie said...
Crazy! Like I have said never really got into mysteries but Sherlock was always a favorite for sure. I hate when you end up reading the series out of order. Once I was looking at a chunkster in the bookstore and bought it. It was Diana Gaboldon's VOYAGER which was the third book of her series. I went back and read the first two but it was not the same to be sure! :(
booklogged said...
I was fortunate enough to start with the first in this series. I have really enjoyed them all. King is quite a deliberate writer, there are parts that seem a bit slow, but it all helps the feel of the mystery and the time period. And by the end of the book you are completely satisfied. I know the first one in the series is The Beekeeper's Apprentice, I loose track after that.So you're ready to start on 'K'. I'll have to go back and see what your K reads are. You are nearly half way through the alphabet. Good for you!
booklogged said...
Your next two look like ones you're going to enjoy: To Kill a Mockigbird and The Beantree.
Orange Blossom Goddess (aka Heather) said...
I hadn't heard of this author before. Sounds like it was a good read.
Dark Orpheus said...
I love Laurie R. King. I appreciate how she always try to find something new to inject into her stories. Glad you like this book.