“Scout,” said Atticus, “when summer comes you’ll have to keep your head about far worse things…it’s not fair you and Jem, I know that, but sometimes we have to make the best of things, and the way we conduct ourselves when the chips are down — well, all I can say is, when you and Jem are grown, maybe you’ll look back on this with some compassion and some feeling that I didn’t let you down. This case, Tom Robinson’s case, is something that goes to the essence of a man’s conscience — Scout, I couldn’t go to church and worship God if I didn’t try to help that man.”
(from To Kill a Mockingbird, page 120)
I just finished reading To Kill a Mockingbird for the first time, and while I wish I would have read this book years ago, I’m not sure I would have been able to appreciate it as much if I’d read it when I was younger. I probably don’t need to write a plot summary, but since I blog primarily to keep track of what I read and help me remember the major details, here goes.
Harper Lee’s classic novel — which celebrated its 50th anniversary earlier this month — is the coming of age story of Scout Finch, a little girl living in Maycomb, Alabama, in the 1930s with her older brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus. She and Jem spend much of their time wondering about Boo Radley, who hasn’t stepped out of his house in decades, not since he got in trouble as a boy and was confined to the house by his father. Scout and Jem are fascinated with him, and they and their best friend, Dill, spend their summers thinking up ways to get Boo to come out of his house. Their obsession with Boo Radley takes up much of the first half of the book, and I just loved reading about Scout, Jem, and Dill’s creative and overactive imaginations.
The rest of the book has a more serious tone, with their lawyer father, Atticus, tasked with defending a black man against charges that he raped a white girl. Most of the town automatically believes Tom Robinson is guilty just because of his skin color, but Atticus believes all people are equal in the eyes of the law and that Tom deserves a fair trial. Scout, Jem, and Dill disobey orders to stay home on the day of the trial, as they are fascinated with the case and the attention it has generated, and are present in a courtroom scene that is among the most captivating passages I have ever read.
Lee covers so much ground in this novel, from issues of race, class, and gender to the loss of innocence — and I can’t possibly do the book justice. The book builds slowly (I kept wondering when I was going to get to the courtroom), but I savored every word. Lee definitely is a gifted story-teller, and while it would have been difficult to top To Kill a Mockingbird, I wish she would’ve written more books!
To Kill a Mockingbird is rich with unique characters, just like you’d expect from Southern fiction. I absolutely loved Scout, and I think Lee does a great job merging Scout’s youth and innocence with the wisdom she has as an adult narrator. I saw my own daughter in Scout, a girl who is smart, curious, impulsive, and strong-willed. When Scout stands up to the lynch mob, I was both scared and proud of her. I don’t think I could’ve been that brave. Of course, I can’t talk about To Kill a Mockingbird without mentioning how much I loved Atticus. He now ranks among my most favorite literary characters, and I wonder what the world would be like if there were more people like him in it.
Right after I finished reading the courtroom scene, I knew To Kill a Mockingbird would make my all-time favorites list. Before putting it back on the shelf, I showed it to my daughter and told her that when she’s a little bit older, she has to read it. I don’t want her to miss out like I did!
Disclosure: I received a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird from HarperCollins for review purposes. I am an Amazon associate.
© 2010 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
In some ways, I envy you for having experienced this jewel for the very first time. Wonderful review!
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Thanks! Better late than never, I always say! 😉
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I read this for the first time in high school (well, partially read it) and admit that I didn’t appreciate it. Still not sure I appreciated it when I read it in my early twenties. I think I’m finally old enough to give it a true go!
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I think the same thing about a lot of what I read in high school and even younger. I read Jane Eyre in high school and could even finish it, but when I read it in college, I ate it up.
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I’d tried reading it twice before and couldn’t finish it (probably because it has a slower start? And I like fast paced book. The Court scene would be the part I’d be very much interested in since I like reading legal thrillers). I keep meaning to keep it another try – I have a feeling that I wish I’d read it earlier, but don’t think I’d have appreciated it as much back then. Like Flowers for Algernon.
So I’m glad you like this – motivates me to try again!
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It’s worth it to keep reading just to get to the court scene! I didn’t think it was really slow to start because I enjoyed the writing and the characters, but I kept wondering when the rape case was going to come up as it seems like it’s the crux of the book. I’d definitely give it another try.
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I read it the first time about 3 years ago. I loved it! I think i would have loved it as a child as well but I agree that as an adult I probably got more out of it.
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Glad to see you loved it as an adult, too. I don’t think I would have appreciated it if I’d read it as a kid.
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I read this ages ago – maybe I should go back to it now again.
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I think it’s definitely worth a re-read!
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You really make me wanna read it now, I just fear I will not like it, and it’s such a classic
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I think you’ll like it. These modern classics are my favorite. Hope you give it a try.
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I am so glad you “finally” read this wonderful novel. It truly is one of the best books ever!
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Me, too! And it already ranks as one of my all-time favorites.
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This is one of my favorites of all time as well. Great review and glad you recommended it to The Girl for her future reads.
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Thanks! I can’t wait until she’s old enough to fully understand it. But when she’s ready, it’s hers!
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I really enjoyed this the first time I read it as a kid. I’m looking forward to reading it again.
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I can’t wait to see if your feelings about it differ as an adult.
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It’s such an amazing book. I can’t wait to get on with my own re-read!
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I’ll keep an eye out for your thoughts.
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I read it for the first time this year also and look forward to reading again when my daughter is old enough. Like you I would have enjoyed it more in highschool.
My post from yesterday about it, I included a passage from the court room.
http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2010/07/wrap-up-post-for-to-kill-mockingbird.html
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Glad you enjoyed it!
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I think that this book is like so many others that we are forced to read in high school. It’s not that we shouldn’t read them but there is just so much that can be better appreciated when we’re more mature. I worry sometimes that kids will be turned off by books that have to be explained to them and never give them another chance.
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I always wondered why we couldn’t read more fun books in school. LOL The classics always seemed like a chore, simply because I wasn’t mature enough to appreciate them.
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To Kill a Mockingbird is in my top five of greatest books. It was the only book that Harper Lee published, but what a book! Scout’s friend, Jem, was modeled on Lee’s childhood friend, Truman Copote. Amazing–two such talented people. Good review. Thanks.
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Correction: Dill was based on Truman Capote, not Jem, plus I can’t spell.
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I learned that when I read Capote in Kansas by Kim Powers, which is what made me interested in reading To Kill a Mockingbird. Haven’t yet read Capote, but I’ll get to him someday I’m sure.
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I couldn’t wait to read your thoughts on this classic! I read it many years ago, in high school. You’ve inspired me to reread it, and I think I’ll appreciate it more now.
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I hope you’ll share your thoughts after the re-read!
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Hey! I haven’t read this one either and JUST started it. (So I’m going to wait and see what you had to say after I’m done reading.
Amy @ Hope is in the Word is hosting a To Kill a Mockingbird Challenge this month. You should link up your review to the challenge! (Well, if you want, that is…) =)
Here is her post which explains more about that.
http://www.hopeisthewordblog.com/2010/07/30/to-kill-a-mockingbird-reading-challenge/
And SIGH, it makes me feel good to know I’m not the only “first timer” with this one!
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Nope, you’re not alone! Too bad I’m so far behind in responding to comments. I would have participated in the challenge!
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To Kill a Mockingbird was required reading when I was in grade 11. It still angers me whenever I hear of a high school banning this book, Grrrr! I loved it then, I love it now.
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I don’t agree with banning books either. I believe parents should have a say in what their children read, but I don’t like when someone else tries to make up my mind about what I or my child should be allowed to read. I think these so-called controversial books offer the perfect opportunities for discussion!
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One of my all time favorite books ever. Atticus is such an amazing character and inspiring role model. Jem, powerful and in awe of his father. And Scout? Wow. What a brilliant young lass.
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I loved all three of them!
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Excellent review. Shame on me, I still havent read this one.
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You really should. Better late than never. 😉
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Such a great classic read.
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I must agree!
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This is one great review. I’ve read this book and it’s one of my favorite of favorites.
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Thank you! Seems like this book is on a lot of people’s favorites lists.
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You have to see the movie now!
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I agree! I was hoping it was on tv to coincide with the anniversary of the book, but I couldn’t find it. 😦
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I read this for the first time in my late 20’s and it became an immediate favorite. We even named our cat Scout 🙂
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I guess that book really had an effect on you!
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