To Kill a Mockingbird
"When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.... When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out."Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during th... (show more)
"When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.... When enough years had gone by to enable us to look back on them, we sometimes discussed the events leading to his accident. I maintain that the Ewells started it all, but Jem, who was four years my senior, said it started long before that. He said it began the summer Dill came to us, when Dill first gave us the idea of making Boo Radley come out."Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus--three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. Though her story explores big themes, Harper Lee chooses to tell it through the eyes of a child. The result is a tough and tender novel of race, class, justice, and the pain of growing up.Like the slow-moving occupants of her fictional town, Lee takes her time getting to the heart of her tale; we first meet the Finches the summer before Scout's first year at school. She, her brother, and Dill Harris, a boy who spends the summers with his aunt in Maycomb, while away the hours reenacting scenes from Dracula and plotting ways to get a peek at the town bogeyman, Boo Radley. At first the circumstances surrounding the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell, the daughter of a drunk and violent white farmer, barely penetrate the children's consciousness. Then Atticus is called on to defend the accused, Tom Robinson, and soon Scout and Jem find themselves caught up in events beyond their understanding. During the trial, the town exhibits its ugly side, but Lee offers plenty of counterbalance as well--in the struggle of an elderly woman to overcome her morphine habit before she dies; in the heroism of Atticus Finch, standing up for what he knows is right; and finally in Scout's hard-won understanding that most people are essentially kind "when you really see them." By turns funny, wise, and heartbreaking, To Kill a Mockingbird is one classic that continues to speak to new generations, and deserves to be reread often. (show less)
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This wasn't on the curriculum when I was at school, so I read it purely for pleasure. It's a brilliant book about the deep south in America during the 1930s, seen from a child's innocent point of view (but it's NOT a children's book). The children involved struggle to understand the racial prejudice which was then the norm but, with the help of their lawyer father, come through some grim events with maturity and tolerance.
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We read Steinbeck at my school, so I remained blissfully unaware of who this heroic Finch fellow was that so many friends described in glowing terms. I could write this entire review about Atticus, and marvel at a hero who does nothing but raise his children without hate (even against those who deserve to be hated) or prejudice. He is the gentlemanly, honourable father figure and the voice of reason throughout, and I can certainly agree with the accolades of heroism that have been showered ov... (show more)
We read Steinbeck at my school, so I remained blissfully unaware of who this heroic Finch fellow was that so many friends described in glowing terms. I could write this entire review about Atticus, and marvel at a hero who does nothing but raise his children without hate (even against those who deserve to be hated) or prejudice. He is the gentlemanly, honourable father figure and the voice of reason throughout, and I can certainly agree with the accolades of heroism that have been showered over the character.
Most enjoyable about the story, Atticus Finch aside, was Lee's ability to weave three distinct stories through and around each other. An idyllic childhood is painted expertly and movingly with a Huckleberry Finn whimsy, before plunging into a courtroom drama, and then finally concluding with the sinister and terrifying vendetta. Uniquely, Lee blends and builds these storylines so that they complement rather than compete with each other, and enables the reader to look back retrospectively on a rich tapestry of the Finch family's lives and feel a genuine and rich familiarity and warmth.
Where to criticise? The humour was timely and heartfelt, and the driest legalese in the court failed to slow the pace or detract from the characterisation. The children especially were believable characters in their own rights, rather than tedious vehicles for platitudes. Its worst moments were surely the apparent scarcity of a coherent plot early on, but the aimless journey with Jem and Dill and Scout was a pleasure to embark on, even if no quest or crisis appears until halfway through. A sure winner. (show less)
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This book was a superb read on a multitude of levels. The narration of such a powerful story from a young child's perspective adds a fun lighthearted feel to the book. Also, the way Atticus Finch's Beautiful Heroic and wise character is revealed subtly through scout's experiences provides an immense depth to the story.
Nadia Bata 4 days ago
As well as offering an insight into what life was like in 1930's southern america the books teaches powerful life lessons on forgiveness, understanding and how to live truthfully to one's ideals. -
I am glad i was a father when I read this book. Atticus is someone I would like to emulate.
Facebook User 12 days ago -
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I read this book about once a year. It amazes me at how timeless this book it. It is still relevant over 50 years after it was published. I was so happy that my son recently read it in high school and loved it as much as I do. My middle school nephew even loved the book. This is one of the few books I have ever read that I can truly recommend to everyone.
Karena Britton Penrod 16 days ago -
kurekomendasikan buat yang butuh hiburan menarik, walau bagus (banget) tapi openingnya terlalu lama, sedikit melelahkan di awal, dan yang paling aneh, judulnya itu lho, gak nyambung, disambunginnya maksa, kalau gak baca sinopsis, cuma lihat judulnya, aku tak tertarik sama sekali.
Facebook User about 1 month ago -
I liked how Harper wrappeds up Boo's story and it still keeps you wondering how Boo's relationship will be like with Scout & Jem in the mere future. Flash back was the whole book on how Jem got hurt. Wow...
Kuok Hau about 1 month ago -
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Why you do or do not like Twilight
I love Twilight I think its an amazing book the movie was great.I think it is the best book in the world, but i know some of you hate Twilight tell me why do or do not like Twilight
Tristin Hanson 5 months ago -
Anyone else think this is overrated?
I read To Kill a Mockingbird recently for the first time, and I have to say I was really disappointed in it.
The book's voice is really inconsistent, seemingly switching at whim between the perspective of Scout as a girl and a very adult perspective looking back.
I also thought the characters lacked much in the way of depth - and I know everyone will say "that's how kids see the world" but I expect more of a "great" book.
I realise how important this book was at the time, and how it turned the light on to racism and injustice. I just don't think it stands up today as a well-written novel. Anyone else with me on this?
I think I'll stick to Steinbeck, Hemingway, Twain and other writers who are able to write more than one novel. (I realise they're all dead white males.)
Aaron King about 1 year ago -
The Ending
Who was satisfied with this ending??? I thought that it fully wrapped up Boo and everything...I don't know...
Olivia Foley about 1 year ago
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