Saturday 25 February 2012

Review: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee


Don't ask me how I got to my age without having read or watched To Kill a Mockingbird. I guess it's coz I didn't study it at school like so many seem to do, and I never felt particularly compelled to pick it up in my free time. I finally read it last week, as it was suggested reading for my writing course, and I'm so glad I was forced to make the time for it - because it was awesome, natch.

I have to admit, it was kinda slow going at first, as Tom Robinson, the black man Atticus Finch is assigned to defend in court, is completely absent from the first quarter of the book, and I was impatient for what I perceived to be the main plot to begin. Little did I know everything that was happening would become important down the track - and the way it all came together was masterful.

I adored Lee's whimsical way of storytelling. While the book deals with some pretty heavy issues, the use of the young Scout as narrator gives it such a sense of warmth, humour and hope. I think Scout is one of my favourite characters ever. The way she saw the world, together with her innocence, her stubbornness and her strength, made her a remarkable – and, importantly, believable – kid. I also adored her family - especially her relationships with her father, Atticus, and her big brother, Jem. The supporting cast of neighbours and friends were also wonderful, and even the antagonists were superbly and realistically drawn. Bob Ewell gave me goosebumps, he was so icky. The one character I wanted to know more about was Boo Radley, though of course this would have completely undermined his place in the plot as a mysterious, almost mythical creature. He was just such a fascinating character - as they all are, really.

I wasn't expecting to love To Kill a Mockingbird, but I did. I can see now why it's so popular. It's pretty amazeballs.

Rating: 4/5

15 comments:

  1. If our baby boy had been a "She," her name would have been Scout. I can think of few characters who would be a better namesake for a little girl!

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    1. So true! I also love the name Harper. And Atticus - though I don't think I could saddle a kid with it for life, lol ;)

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  2. I didn't read it until I was older too. And only because my book club picked it for a group read. I read a lot of young adult but it seems no one wants to read the classics anymore. If you want to talk about it more with a group here is the link: http://www.goodreads.com/topic/group_folder/51480?group_id=3551


    Angie

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    1. Thanks for the link, Angie! I'll check it out :)

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  3. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. Isn't it wonderful to read these classics when you're older rather than being forced to read them as a kid? I've spent the past year listening to all manner of classics in audio format, and I'm loving the education I'm getting!

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    1. Nice! I want to get into audio books, I think it'll be handy for the gym. Haven't really tried one before though so I'm a bit wary.

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  4. I have a long list of books I read when I was younger that I really need to read again. This is one of them. I love this book and Boo Radley is one of my favorite characters in literature, but I can't recall why anymore.

    Fantastic review!

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    1. Thanks Ryan! So many amazing characters in this one.

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    2. That's also my problem! I know I loved this book when I first read it but I can't actually remember why anymore. Or maybe that's just me and my memory since I read it just seven years ago. Or is that long enough? Anyway, this review just prodded me to go pick up my copy in the bookshelf and reread it. Thanks for the review, Belle! :D

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    3. Awesome! Hope you enjoy it just as much the second time round. :)

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  5. So glad you enjoyed this - its fantastic isn't it? You definitely need to watch the film now - Gregory Peck is great in it :)

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    1. I'll definitely have to hunt it down! Can't wait to see it.

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