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To Kill a Mockingbird
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
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seen the movie!!(fantastic),didnt read the book :(..but have heard similar things about the book..will go w/ a scene in the movie instead..(after the verdict when he was been taken transfer the other prison and Atticus went to the family to the them that he tried to escape and he was killed)that part was really sad for me and got to me...All the actors that they chose for each role did a fabulous job right to the end/good acting/and they all fit their part as the book portray...It should not be on any Banned Book List..Too good of a book!!!!
I read the book in high school. I thought it was a good story. The movie to me was much better. Mainly because I'm more visual. There are a few books I think SHOULD be banned. This isn't one of those. Everytime I hear the title, I think about the mockingbirds that take over my backyard every spring and summer. I think to myself, I need to write a book and call it,"I'm Going to Kill Those @##! Mockingbirds!"
Hi everyone,Well, I haven't seen the movie, though I'd like to, but on the other hand, I don't feel I really need to, as the book itself is just beautiful. The story is very poignant, but mostly it's how Harper Lee captures the voice of the little girl - it's just spot on, absolutely wonderful. And the humour, mainly linked with the little girl's reactions to things, is just gorgeous - had me laughing out loud, which also makes the book that much more emotive. One of my all time favourites.
Mod
I've both read the book and seen the movie--and I love both! I think the movie captures the story very well. It does leave out Dolphus Raymond's character entirely as well as Mrs. Dubose's struggle, which is a little sad. Both add wonderful nuances to the book. I understand though. With movies it's hard to incorporate everything within the time constraints. The actors cast on the roles were so perfect, too. I mean, Gregory Peck! And those kids? Wow!
This is one of my favorite movies. The performances are so strong by all the actors. I haven't read the book yet, but hopefully I'll get to it soon. :-)
Harper Lee's TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD ranks right up there as one of my top favorites (I waffle back and forth between that, and GONE WITH THE WIND). I've read MOCKINGBIRD 5 times, and I've seen the film numerous times... the book is beautifully written, and adds such a rich nuance to the characters, the town, and the plot which the film itself is unable to portray, due to time constraints. The film is classic, and also one of my favorites. Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch is probably the most famous 'lawyer' (!) in America. My husband and I traveled to Monroeville, Alabama (Lee's hometown) last September, and visited the old courthouse which is where Lee's father practiced law. The courthouse has been turned into a museum, and features lots of different facts (plus videos, etc.) about the book / film / Lee's life, etc. If you get the chance to visit Monroeville, I definitely recommend it! Meanwhile, for any of you who haven't read MOCKINGBIRD or seen the movie, it's worth your time. P.S. I recently read Lee's new book GO SET A WATCHMAN, which is supposedly the 'sequel' to MOCKINGBIRD. My only comment about that book is, speaking as an author myself, I can understand why Lee always referred to WATCHMAN as the 'parent' of MOCKINGBIRD. She wrote it first, then was asked by her editors to rewrite the book, but in the childrens' POV. I think if she hadn't first written WATCHMAN and been able to visualize the characters of Atticus, Scout, etc., MOCKINGBIRD would not be the beautiful book which we have today. ~ Kathleen
Absolutely favorite book and a really outstanding movie as well. I agree with Janene's comment about Mrs. Dubose above. That section of the book was especially poignant and unforgettable.
I find myself conflicted by Mockingbird. I agree it is a wonderful, uplifting story, but the reason I find it to be a wonderful, uplifting story is that it is a feel-good fairy tale of how we wish we had been. It allows us to pretend we were some other people than who we truly were. Watchman, on the other hand, holds up before us its mirror to show how repulsive we were, which is the reason that for half a century it was unpublishable.
I've heard so much about this book. Leigh and I are planning on starting it tomorrow. I'm looking forward to it!
I LOVE this book!! I ignored it during high school as it was forced on us, but read it after graduation in preparation for Watchmen and it is my favorite novel ever!
Fabulous book and great movie. Whenever I read it, Gregory Peck is always in my minds eye as Atticus.
Mod
*Spoiler alert* There is a big difference between the end of the movie and the end of the book. In investigating Bob Ewell's death, the sheriff says, "I'm still the sheriff, and Bob Ewell fell on his own knife." (In actuality, it was Boo Radley who killed Bob Ewell.) In the book, Atticus says to Scout, "Bob Ewell fell on his own knife. Can you possibly understand?", thus perpetuating the lie. The Legion of Decency, who had a lot of control over movie content in 1961, when the movie came out, decided that such an honorable man wouldn't help perpetuate a lie like that, so they cut the line. In the movie, Atticus does not perpetuate the lie, but it is made clear that the lie would be perpetuated without him, and that he would be discredited if he tried to say anything. In both cases, Scout says, "I know. It's like killing a mockingbird." I wonder what the Legion of Decency would have said if Go Set a Watchman had been out back then. They might have rethought their opinion of Atticus.
thoroughly enjoyed reaing the book. Loved the movie. Can't imagine anyone else but Gregory Peck in the role of Atticus.
When I first started at Notre Dame Law School (GO IRISH!) our ethics professor had us watch this movie. It was supposed to show us an ideal of what a lawyer should be.
Joseph wrote: "When I first started at Notre Dame Law School (GO IRISH!) our ethics professor had us watch this movie. It was supposed to show us an ideal of what a lawyer should be."That's interesting. Writers often portray a character on someone they know.
Supposedly, Harper Lee based Atticus Finch on her father. There was an article that said his law office was up for sale.
Joseph wrote: "Supposedly, Harper Lee based Atticus Finch on her father. There was an article that said his law office was up for sale."Thanks. Good to know.
Discuss as you read. Everyone taking part can go at their own pace.
While this is a very popular book/movie, please use (view spoiler)[SPOILER (hide spoiler)] tags for anything you think might give away plot/ending, as not everyone has read the book and/or seen the movie.
Here are some discussion questions to get you started:
-Have you read the book?
-Have you seen the movie?
-How are the two similar/different?
-Was there a scene out of the book you liked better than the movie (or vice versa)?
-What do you think of the choice of actors for the movie? Do they fit the book's characters? Why or why not?
-Any thoughts on this being on the Banned Book List?