To Kill a Mockingbird in Classics Without All the Class

Jul 23, 2011 Beth (bibliobeth) rated it it was amazing

I realised a little while ago that I've got so many books on my shelves/current TBR that the books on my favourites shelves are getting a bit neglected as I tend to prioritise new releases over books I've read before - I guess as most book bloggers tend to do. As an adult I'm primarily a "one book only" sort of girl which is strange as I remember so clearly being eleven years old, at boarding school in Scotland and staying with my Gran during the half-term. My parents lived in Germany as my dad I realised a little while ago that I've got so many books on my shelves/current TBR that the books on my favourites shelves are getting a bit neglected as I tend to prioritise new releases over books I've read before - I guess as most book bloggers tend to do. As an adult I'm primarily a "one book only" sort of girl which is strange as I remember so clearly being eleven years old, at boarding school in Scotland and staying with my Gran during the half-term. My parents lived in Germany as my dad was in the army so I could only see them at the end of term but I loved staying with my Gran. I registered at the local library where she lives and to my delight, I realised I could take out up to SIX books with my current library card. Of course, me being me I took out the whole six book allowance and because I didn't think I'd have time to read all six before I went back to school, I used to read a couple of chapters of one and then switch to another one (and so on right through the six books). That way, every book got a chance and I got a new, exciting story every few chapters. THERE IS A POINT TO THIS STORY, I PROMISE.

Anyway, I realised if I reverted back to my child-like habits and read more than one book at a time, it would be a great way to get through my massive TBR and (here is the point....) re-visit some of those old favourites that I've never read more than once. My new plan over the last six months has been to combine my current "main" read with a non-fiction book and then one on my favourites shelf. I'll be reading three books at a time which isn't as ambitious as my eleven year old past self was (haha) and I think the combination of non-fiction with an old favourite (where I'm well aware of the plot and characters) will mean I don't mix up the books too much, which was a concern of mine.

After all that nonsense and unnecessary drivel I'm here to tell you about one of my favourite books, To Kill A Mockingbird which has now become a classic and is taught now in many schools at GCSE level here in the UK. I guess a big concern of mine was that I've changed a lot in the last ten years and my tastes may have too, ergo maybe it wouldn't be a favourite anymore? No worries on that account. This novel was just as powerful, just as poignant and just as gorgeously written as I remembered. If you haven't read it yet (where have you BEEN, go read it immediately!), it's the tale of Jean Louise "Scout" and Jem Finch, brother and sister in the hot summers of the 1930's in the Deep South. They have a beautifully close relationship and enjoy playing with each other and the boy next door, Dill. Their new favourite game is to frighten and dare each other in an attempt to make the local mysterious hermit-like Arthur "Boo" Radley to engage with them. As well as this, the children have their first experience of prejudice, racism and terrifying attitudes and behavour when their father, lawyer Atticus Finch is tasked with defending a black man accused of raping a local white girl.

I think that's all I want to say about the plot as I'm sure you're all aware of it. This is just such a delightful novel that I'm so glad I had the experience of re-reading. All I could think of as I was reading it was the 1995 song by the Boo Radleys - "Wake Up Boo," which I loved as a teenager and had running through my head as I finished each chapter. To Kill A Mockingbird is illuminating in its intensity and every moment of it felt so nostalgic for me. One of the best things I've realised about re-reading a favourite is that you often forget huge portions of the narrative and this was definitely true with this novel. Oh my goodness, the part when Scout and Jem rush to the local jail where Tom Robinson is being held whilst an angry mob threatens Atticus and the part where Scout dresses up as a giant ham for the Halloween pageant and the events that occur after that....no major spoilers for anyone who hasn't read it of course! I think what makes this novel so special is that it has moments that really warm your heart and then it deals with such difficult issues that at times, my skin crawled with disgust.

And the characters! Please let me take just a moment to show my appreciation for independent, tomboy, dress-hating, determined Scout who captured my attention immediately and who I still continued to think about as a strong female lead, even without reading the book for a number of years! Then there is the beautiful man that is Atticus Finch, the ultimate father figure, who loves his children unconditionally, is brave and not afraid to stand up for what he believes in and is the most wonderful role model, adviser and parent that any child could wish for. I couldn't have asked for anything better from this re-read, it will be staying on my shelves as a confirmed favourite, in fact it actually surpassed my expectations. When I originally read it, I gave it four stars on Goodreads. I wonder if you can guess what I'm giving it now?

For my full review and many more please visit my blog at http://www.bibliobeth.com ...more

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Jul 16, 2013 Anindyta rated it it was amazing

Okay so I’m going to start with the first part, where the book begins. The first part consists of eleven chapters and like any other part of this book, it is narrated by one and only Scout Finch. This is one interesting part for me, because I have read this part some years ago and I don’t really quite get it. So when I realized this time is different, I was so excited. I enjoyed this part much much more than what I did years ago. I like how the children talk and gossip about the Radley. I like t Okay so I’m going to start with the first part, where the book begins. The first part consists of eleven chapters and like any other part of this book, it is narrated by one and only Scout Finch. This is one interesting part for me, because I have read this part some years ago and I don’t really quite get it. So when I realized this time is different, I was so excited. I enjoyed this part much much more than what I did years ago. I like how the children talk and gossip about the Radley. I like the sense of thrill in it. Because every childhood has a haunted house story, this Radley story made me interested and feel the childhood nostalgia.

I told you before, that this book is narrated by Scout Finch. Scout Finch is a little girl and when I found out about it I expected that her voice is a light and cheerful voice. Yeah, I expected the childlishness of her voice narrating this book. But nope! Her narrating is like an adult voice. I know this is one literary book that brings an important theme for the readers but… it felt not right at first. The words she used to describe things are exceed my expectation. I was hoping that the book is much more like Room when the narrator voice is innocent among the non-innocent people. And of course, aside from my expectation, I know that my English is one main factor that made me hard to slide along to keep up with Scout’s words. Thank god, I read it on my e-reader so I can check the dictionary immediately.

Well, this part is not the “hard” part for me, I was enjoying this part especially when Jem, Scout, and Dill daring each other to touch the Radley house. :D But not only that, in this part we’re introduced by the life in Maycomb, the history of it, and the glimpse of families in this small town through Scout’s eyes.

Second part, the book started to become hard. Aside from Boo Radley from the chapter one, the little Maycomb county had a bigger issue. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?), Atticus was a big part of this issue. In this second part, a big crime appeared. The black man named Mr. Robinson was accused of raping a white girl from Ewell family. It’s not surprising that whole town knew and kept an eye about it. Including Scout and Jem (and of course Dill). They started to learn what people think about other people and I think that’s a path to grow up for them. Also, in this part there is an addition in their home, Aunt Alexandra came to teach Jem and especially Scout, since there was no “woman” in the family who can teach them how to behave like a nobel one.

I like this part very much, I like it better than the first one. Why ? Only because of one scene. The court scene. You know, in the previous post (my pre-read thoughts post) I said I was expecting Atticus’ famous charm in this book. That, in the first part isn’t shown much. Yes of course, Atticus always been a good father in this book but I thought in this second one, he shines. And I love love it very much when he defended Tom Robinson. I love his determination, I love his way to teach Jem and Scout the reality, I love it so much and I nearly cried when I read the court scene that I quote below. Oh well, maybe half of my reaction is because of the cold that I’m having though *sniff.

“We know all men are not created equal in the sense some people would have us believe- some people are smarter than others, some people have more opportunity because they're born with it, some men make more money than others, some ladies make better cakes than others- some people are born gifted beyond the normal scope of men.
But there is one way in this country in which all men are created equal- there is one human institution that makes a pauper the equal of a Rockefeller, the stupid man the equal of an Einstein, and the ignorant man the equal of any college president. That institution, gentlemen, is a court.”

As in Aunt Alexandra, I don’t hate her. I know what she’s intended to make. To be honest, I’m a little bit agree of Aunty’s opinion of Scout. I guess I often think her as a boy if I didn’t keep reminding myself when I read the book. So some girly girl touch maybe good for her. It’s not that I hate the way Atticus doing with his children. I love the ‘freedom’ but responsible way he taught to his children and sometimes it’s annoying to hear Aunt Alexandra kept complaining about it. But then I realized something, Aunt Alexandra cared about them and Atticus too, the way she cared…probably not entirely right. Anyway, it’s good to have her and read about her habits and her knowledge of people history. Well, although it’s pretty amazing that one person could know about so much complicated history of families in Maycomb, I guess through her (well, not only her) the author let us know the example about how the prejudicing and judging people become our custom in everyday life. This, I guess, is the main problem of the story. So… this book isn’t talking about how black and white lives and The Great Depression thing. For me, the book is talking about people always think their “own people” is better than others. That’s what this book for me, and it’s scared me enough to realize that my world now isn’t so much different than in this book.

Anyway, I like this book. The language is kind of hard and I need daaaaays to finish it but I’m satisfied with it. I love the character, I love Atticus especially and I guess I’ll fall in love with the future Jem. I love how the book took the small town setting, it’s comfortable. Happy to read this and join this read-along. I’m really feeling sorry though for not contributing very much. ...more

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Jul 23, 2011 Beth (bibliobeth) added it · review of another edition

First studied this book at school and think I enjoyed it even more the second time reading it! Love the character of Scout and can't believe this book was banned for a while, think it is really important for people to understand the events of the past. ...more

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