To Kill a Mockingbird
discussion
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There are many people, including myself, who feel the same way about TKAM. Both the book and the movie will forever be on my list of favorites.
Feliks wrote: "The book is fine, adequate, does what its supposed to do..but yeah I'm a little tired of the endless, interminable, unceasing conversations about this frigging book, I can tell yuh that much. Cripe..."
To Kill A Mockingbird is indeed a great American classic. The characters are real and engaging. The writer successfully reflects the society of her time. Yes it's a "race relations book" and when it was published in 1960 we hadn't "seen that before" (as you put it) in popular mainstream literature. This book challenged the norms and dared to suggest that black Americans were worth fighting for, at a time when they were fighting for their own rights.
I am staggered that there are those who are "underwhelmed" by a book that can be quite overwhelming and engaging.
This book is worth re-reading every few years.
To Kill A Mockingbird is indeed a great American classic. The characters are real and engaging. The writer successfully reflects the society of her time. Yes it's a "race relations book" and when it was published in 1960 we hadn't "seen that before" (as you put it) in popular mainstream literature. This book challenged the norms and dared to suggest that black Americans were worth fighting for, at a time when they were fighting for their own rights.
I am staggered that there are those who are "underwhelmed" by a book that can be quite overwhelming and engaging.
This book is worth re-reading every few years.
Yes yes yes! I was totally underwhelmed by this book. With all of the glowing reviews, I was expecting this book to be utterly amazing. And it wasn't. For me it was just ho-hum. Nothing special. I understand the whole purpose, it just don't think it was delivered very well.
E.m.m.a. wrote: "Yes yes yes! I was totally underwhelmed by this book. With all of the glowing reviews, I was expecting this book to be utterly amazing. And it wasn't. For me it was just ho-hum. Nothing special. I ..."E.m.m.a., even though I know that many--if not most--on this thread voice a very adamant view of this book being an overwhelmingly stellar masterpiece of literature (and I agree about the good piece of literature), it does not mean that everyone should--or would--be affected by it the same way.
Literature is for people, and not all people react the same way to the same things. It is why we have so many genres and such differences in preferences of people to different genres and we have have excellent books in all, but not everyone would like the same ones.
I think that this is where literature and art--because literature IS a form of art--are the same. I know some here do not like the comparison, but I stand by it being a good one--good art is good art and is worth seeing and appreciating but not all of us will fall in love with the same pieces even if we can understand the genius that went into creating them--Case in point, I don't much like Picasso's work, though I do not argue with his genius or the importance of his work to the history and progress of art.
So--I agree that it is quite possible for even a book like TKAM to not be overwhelming to someone, or even to just barely make a dent on their radar screen. I would suspect that there are more such people whom we never see--because they would not even think of going into a thread about this book--than those who post glowing reports for it.
This does not detract from the value of the book, or even from the OBJECTIVE value or written clout of the book. It does mean that SUBJECTIVELY we all have out own personal responses to different creative products--books and sculptures and poems and paintings--even the ones we KNOW are the top of the line.
Good for you for speaking your mind. Your view matters, too, because it is part of the reality of reaction to this book, good as it is.
Mark wrote: ":)"Hi back at'cha! :)
i really liked the book. scout is my fav character but i do agree the book was a little underwhelming, but thats not cuz it was boring or anything. just because, i expected it to have an overpowering huge catchy plot. which was a dumb image that i formed because of its popularity in literature.the book is very sweet, subtle, and powerful.
Idk if its been said before or not, but i think the thing with classics is that being written the time they were and being read now the writing styles have changed and it doesn't really do it for a lot of people. I'm one of those, The Great Gatsby are wonderful books but they just aren't for me, they way they are written isn't what I'm used to reading. Hope that makes sense? If not, well my excuse if i just woke up haha
Michael wrote: "All famous novels are subjected to criticism.
I think the greatest blasphemy is the near universal praise heaped upon TKAM. Such average, dry and bland prose, cardboard two dimensional cut-out ch..."
I agree that famous novels ... and infamous novels ... are subjected to criticism. I don't think praise, even universal praise, is the greatest blasphemy, though.
Two things ... "so what" first.... I've seen a clip, though I can't remember where it first aired, regarding TKAM and people's thoughts. Various authors, etc... were interviewed about the book. Men and women. Various races. I remember an African American man, I believe an author, saying it was the first time he read a book about race that attempted to deal with the problem in a way that he actually felt was real and that resonated with him as being authentic. (My words. I can't remember his exact words.) Several women (including Anna Quindlen) discussed how important it was to them, young people in the '60's, to read a book about a feisty and nontraditional female character. Which, of course, was a wise way to write the book.... Written and published at the start of the '60's and everything that meant. The reader was able to read and experience the book through the eyes of a child, after reading the first half of the book which was sleepy and folksy and likely to remind them, the readers of that time, of their childhoods. Then, ... after that ... Tom Robinson and the ugliness of racism. The subtlety, especially at that time, was important, I think, to leaving people open to the themes found within. So, in answer to ... so what ..., I don't think the fact that it honestly touched people who lived during that time, resonating with some and making others think, can be discounted.
Regarding Atticus, .... Do you really think he was just a flat and self-righteous character? I guess, to a point, I can see that you could make an argument for his character being flat. Too archetypal...? Could anyone truly be that good...? I don't tend to think of his character that way, especially due to all of the other things. Things like ... his character talked about his thought process and innermost feelings. He didn't just have one-liners, like the line about the only thing not biding majority rule is one's conscience. (My favorite.... I more than sort of wish more people lived that....) He also talked with his brother about the fact that he didn't want Tom's case. He was torn. Not because he was a racist, but because he didn't want that case ... that case that was going to be THE case and would tear one's guts out. He didn't want it, he wasn't going to offer to take it, but it was assigned to him. To my reading, that's not a "man" walking around and throwing out self-righteous lines. That's a "man" who is struggling, trying to do what's right ... but struggling with it. Being self-righteous is being oh so sure that one is right and is the only one who is right. I didn't get that from Atticus, so, I'd be interested in hearing how you did. Yes, there are the lines in and of themselves. But, in all seriousness, shouldn't we take them in context and form our opinions based on the forest and not the tree?
I think the greatest blasphemy is the near universal praise heaped upon TKAM. Such average, dry and bland prose, cardboard two dimensional cut-out ch..."
I agree that famous novels ... and infamous novels ... are subjected to criticism. I don't think praise, even universal praise, is the greatest blasphemy, though.
Two things ... "so what" first.... I've seen a clip, though I can't remember where it first aired, regarding TKAM and people's thoughts. Various authors, etc... were interviewed about the book. Men and women. Various races. I remember an African American man, I believe an author, saying it was the first time he read a book about race that attempted to deal with the problem in a way that he actually felt was real and that resonated with him as being authentic. (My words. I can't remember his exact words.) Several women (including Anna Quindlen) discussed how important it was to them, young people in the '60's, to read a book about a feisty and nontraditional female character. Which, of course, was a wise way to write the book.... Written and published at the start of the '60's and everything that meant. The reader was able to read and experience the book through the eyes of a child, after reading the first half of the book which was sleepy and folksy and likely to remind them, the readers of that time, of their childhoods. Then, ... after that ... Tom Robinson and the ugliness of racism. The subtlety, especially at that time, was important, I think, to leaving people open to the themes found within. So, in answer to ... so what ..., I don't think the fact that it honestly touched people who lived during that time, resonating with some and making others think, can be discounted.
Regarding Atticus, .... Do you really think he was just a flat and self-righteous character? I guess, to a point, I can see that you could make an argument for his character being flat. Too archetypal...? Could anyone truly be that good...? I don't tend to think of his character that way, especially due to all of the other things. Things like ... his character talked about his thought process and innermost feelings. He didn't just have one-liners, like the line about the only thing not biding majority rule is one's conscience. (My favorite.... I more than sort of wish more people lived that....) He also talked with his brother about the fact that he didn't want Tom's case. He was torn. Not because he was a racist, but because he didn't want that case ... that case that was going to be THE case and would tear one's guts out. He didn't want it, he wasn't going to offer to take it, but it was assigned to him. To my reading, that's not a "man" walking around and throwing out self-righteous lines. That's a "man" who is struggling, trying to do what's right ... but struggling with it. Being self-righteous is being oh so sure that one is right and is the only one who is right. I didn't get that from Atticus, so, I'd be interested in hearing how you did. Yes, there are the lines in and of themselves. But, in all seriousness, shouldn't we take them in context and form our opinions based on the forest and not the tree?
Definitely not underwhelmed,but
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You have to have a frame of reference for how the world was at the time TKAM was written to appreciate the characters and situations in the book and the voice in which it was written. If you only think in terms of the world today, you will never appreciate this story. There are plenty of other stories for you - just not this one.
Consider: at the end of the novel Scout is "almost nine." It takes a lot of guts to even try to pull this off, but Harper Lee for sure pulled it off. Many have hated this masterpiece over the years, including several school boards, which puts it in great company along with "Huckleberry Finn."
I'm not really sure how anyone can not think that this book is wonderful. I read it for the first time in ninth grade and have read it multiple times since then. It is absolutely wonderful to see something so dramatic in the small town south happening from the eyes of an innocent child. She can't really understand people and why they do and say the things that they do. That reason alone is enough reason to read this book.Scout is one of those timeless characters who learns so many lessons and grows up as she does so. In addition Atticus Finch is one of the greatest literary characters written. His sense of right and wrong, his love for his children, and his wisdom are so enduring and captivating. Just a personal opinion though.
Books like this aren't for everyone.
Anyone underwhelmed by "To Kill A Mockingbird" should limit their reading to comic books!!!!!!!! Unless they are too busy reading Vampire Romance or such.
Its a great book and really shines a light on the period it was written about. I think it needs a couple of reads because the beauty of the novel is how it uses a child's eye to filter and challenge the hypocrisy of the times. I can see how people are underwhelmed but like most things in life if you you only look on the surface you don't get to understand what's underneath.
Michael wrote: "Or was that the author's intent and purpose? The characters for me, everything was boring and uninspired, along with subpar prose which didn't help. Were the characters supposed to be shallow caric..."take notice of the date it was written and what was going on at the time. It's importance will be clearer to you.
TKAM is one of the absolute GREAT American novels and one of my favorite books of all time. On a site where the greatest book of all time is listed as The Hunger Games, you have to take comments that criticize great literature with a grain of salt.
Michael wrote: "Or was that the author's intent and purpose? The characters for me, everything was boring and uninspired, along with subpar prose which didn't help. Were the characters supposed to be shallow caric..."I believe because of when it was written it was huge. The topic covers things people heard, involved in or witnessed. Those of us who weren't raised in those times, we don't witness that sort of brutality as often (Well most of us).
It also does not help many students are forced to read it in school for assignments,discussion,etc. I believe if there was less of being forced into reading it --- better reaction to the book. It was hard for me to get into at the beginning when I had to read it for class in 9th grade. But I did enjoy it.
One of the few books that I've come across which had a better movie adaptation. Atticus's character was par excellence. Peck was marvelous. The court room speech was well done both in the book and the movie.
I thought the movie was better than the book. I never could understand how anyone could list the book as a favorite. But I read it as an adult and not in the 60's when things were very different. I think I may have really liked it back then. I think all books depend on the readers experiences, and bias as to what people like or don't.
To Kill a Mockingbird was one of those rare stories where the book and the movie were both great. In my opinion, Harper Lee's story was a gift she gave the world and Gregory Peck and the entire cast brought her gift to life in the movie which is simply perfection. I was overwhelmed by both book and movie the first time I experienced them and with each r-reading of the book I love it a little more. I get the same emotion when I see the movie. They are timeless.
For me was a Great book! with a Big big message, has a lot of greats quotes.. i just was disappointed with the end.. i mean i was waiting for something else, to know more about their lives in the future.. etc etc...But in general.. is an Amazing book!!
TKAM is one of the first books I read that seemed to transform words on the page into near physical sensations, like the heat of a southern Alabama day. Scout and Atticus are entitled to their places in the literary hall of fame, inseparable from the rich tangled perceptions and misconceptions of a simple story.
To Kill a Mockingbird is my absolute all time favorite book. It still is to this day the only book I consistently re-read. I love the ending where Scout is seeing things the way Boo would have seen them. They were "his kids". Love it!
"Feliks is right to be impatient with the umpty-umpth fictional lecture on race relations."Well, "To Kill a Mockingbird" was actually one of the earliest "lectures" on race relations. I don't think that, if you have a limited tolerance for books about race relations, that you can fault one of the first books of that genre (by a white author, at least) for being one of the first.
Having said that, I confess to not being really sure how or if it's possible to have too many books about race relations. I mean, we ARE talking about what would be, if U.S. history were a Greek tragedy, that history's fatal flaw. Slavery, which is the institution that founded race relations in the U.S., affected everything about this country's history in obvious and less-obvious ways. There is no aspect of our history that is more significant than the institution of slavery, and thus race relations in general.
I seriously doubt there is a more moral character in literature than Atticus Finch. How he teaches his children and allows them to learn is a precious gift. That prejudice is alive and well in their town is a clear picture of prejudice everywhere...even now....even after The Help. A boring book???? Guess it depends on what a reader brings to the writing.
I absolutely love this book. Actually, I always refer to it as my favorite book ever. Maybe because I can relate so much to the childhood so well described within it.
Mark wrote: "Shmucko, this is the great American novel. You, however, are boring as hell and short sighted. This is NOT merely a race relations book, this is a book about the rule of law’s application in a soci..."
Why are there always people like Mark?
After reading several negative reviews of a classic book I adore, I'm thinking that either a higher level of maturity and compassion than high school is required or too many of today's teens cannot appreciate the historical context and regional culture. I suggest rereading it as an adult and seeing the movie!
I first read To Kill a Mockingbird at age 9 when my grandmother gave it to me as a gift. I loved it then and still love it now.
I thought it was completely overrated. I mean it's a great story. If this happened in my life and I wrote a biography out of it, I would think it was a great story, but like you said, I was underwhelmed. Everyone in my English class loved it, but it was nothing more than an assignment to me.
I was underwhelmed too. I felt the same way about the movie. I'm glad I read/saw it, but for southern literature, I prefer Flannery O'Connor.
No, it's one of those books where you can't put your finger on where its power originates. The writing isn't fancy. The prose seems plain; it doesn't glow.Yet art creates images that time cannot erode.
Atticus Finch.
Boo Radley.
Scout.
Jem.
Shelley
http://dustbowlstory.wordpress.com
I read this book about 10-years or so ago and loved it. Taking into account it was written in 1960 it is not "just another book about race relations", but quite daring and important of it's time. It is a well-written fab read as well. I wonder if good books like this are thrust at Eng lit students who end up disliking them because they have been "done to death", rather than simply enjoying them. Only an opinion of course!
Sanilou wrote: "Michael wrote: "Or was that the author's intent and purpose? The characters for me, everything was boring and uninspired, along with subpar prose which didn't help. Were the characters supposed to ..."I feel the exact same way.
You fools who find this book ordinary or were underwhelmed -- all I can tell you is check the scoreboard. You're a little late to the party, the debate is over, the book is great and has won every award imaginable and sparked an Oscar Winning movie, and is in every public library in America and taught in almost every school in the US and throughout the world. So while you're at it, hate The Godfather, The Mona Lisa, the Sistine Chapel, Mozart, Beethoven, The Beatles and Baryshnikov, whatever you want. The train left the station decades ago -- All that's left to say is "Who Cares What You Think?"
You certainly like the book then Mark? I feel the same as you about it however, is it not interesting to hear others opinions and to try and understand why they think what they do? I am "told" Ulysses is a fabulous book but I struggle with it. Brilliant? I thought so the three times I have wrestled with it but not finished. A good read? I don't think it is.Different opinions - the spice of life.
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You can only be underwhelmed by literature if your expectations are set, fixed and rigid.
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Thank you for this o.o I don't mean any disrespect, but I just finished the novel today and I am still shaken up by it, I found it so overwhelming and then I find this thread on my feed and everyone is saying these things.. I am seriously stunned! I fell in love with this book so hard, especially with Scout and Atticus.. It might be a "cliché" or it's just a proof that the book is so good, it affects several people.
This being said, and despite being "shocked", everyone has a right for their own opinions and they're as valid as mine :/