To Sing Like a Mockingbird

Emelia Hendrix: What I loved most about this book was its unflinching realism. Justin Kopechne is an idealist, yes, but not the romanticized kind. His flaws, his stubbornness, his tunnel vision are laid bare alongside his determination to make a difference. I found myself frustrated with him at times, especially in his personal life, but that frustration came from how believable he felt.

The reformatory storyline gave me hope, even though the odds were stacked against him. The sheriff’s arc, on the other hand, was a slow unraveling that left me with a pit in my stomach. What made it powerful was that it wasn’t over the top it showed how small compromises accumulate until someone is fully compromised.

The novel’s strength lies in its balance between the personal and the political, the intimate and the systemic. By the end, I didn’t feel triumphant, but I did feel deeply moved. It’s the kind of story that lingers long after you close the book.