To Kill a Mockingbird

[Mary Pat]

This thread is to discuss Harper Lee‘s book, To Kill a Mockingbird.


***Please remember to mark spoilers.***

Participants: Joan, Kyla, Sheila, Lisa, Susy

[Mary Pat]

Suggested break down of reading so that you can check in and let us know how you're doing. The following breakdown is purely a suggestion and is therefore not set in stone.

Rather than putting dates for each section I've done it so that it takes into account that not everybody will necessarily have the book at the same time.

Week 1: 81
Week 2: 81
Week 3: 81
Week 4: 81

[rona 💗]

hi! i'm new! what does this mean? i'm 9 years old

[Mary Pat]

Hi, Rona!

What this means is that the people listed as participants in the first post plan to read To Kill a Mockingbird in the month of May. They share their thoughts about the book here in this thread.

It is important to know that everyone who participates in a buddy read marks spoilers. That means they hide anything that reveals part of the story so they don't ruin it for others who are not as far along! (view spoiler)[(They type them inside special codes so they don't show up unless you click on it.) (hide spoiler)]

Check out the first post (here) for more information about Buddy Reads! Let me know if you need any help! I love to see someone your age enjoying books! I started very young and always really enjoyed it!

[Susy]

Just joined the library and got my copy of the book :)

[Lisa]

Yaay! :) I need to get to transfer it from my external hard disk, but hoping to start it tonight :)

[Lisa]

I started reading today :) My Kindle version has 384 pages, so I'll be reading approx. 96 pages/week.

Has anyone read it before? I remember it being a required read at some point in my life but I honestly don't remember how I felt about it back then.
Looking forward to reading what you all think about it :)

Happy reading!

[Susy]

Nope, my first time....

[Joan]

I'm planning on starting tonight. I haven't read it before. I feel like this is one of those books I should have read already!

[Sheila]

I have read it several times. It is one of my all time favorites. I will be starting it tomorrow (I hope).
I look forward to reading everyone's thoughts on the book.

[Susy]

So, how is everybody doing? I just finished part 1 and loved it. I really like that it is written from the girls point of view. Sometimes she's just a little smart ass, at other times she's very endearing. I also like the writing style and the pace of the book. What are your impressions until now?

[Joan]

I'm only in a chapter and a half right now. I like the writing so far but at the moment I'm trying to keep the characters straight. I'm envious you are through part 1 already.

[Lisa]

I've been distracted doing other stuff during the daytime, so I've only been reading right before bed. I'm halfways through chapter 6 and really enjoying it so far.

Susy, I don't think she means to be a smart-ass. I think she's just that innocent and simply doesn't know better. Like when she talks about the Cunninghams, she isn't intentionally trying to be rude or condescending, she's just being candid.

[Susy]

Lisa wrote: "
Susy, I don't think she means to be a smart ass ..."

Maybe it's the wrong word then cause I didn't mean that she is rude but a "wijsneusje", you know, when small children act all grown up and think they are very "wise". When they're little it's even quite funny! (not so much when they grow older though hahaha)

[Lisa]

Susy wrote: "Lisa wrote: "
Susy, I don't think she means to be a smart ass ..."

Yeah, I figured that's what you meant :) She does seem to be quite the wiseacre/know-it-all. A great example of that is the incident in chapter 3. (view spoiler)[I agree with her though... who pours syrup over vegetables and meat :D. (hide spoiler)]

[Sheila]

Scout is precocious. She is very intelligent and the fact that her father uses adult terms makes her seem like a know it all. But she is still an innocent, as the entire sistuation with Walter shows.

[Joan]

I've read through chapter 8. I'm really enjoying the book so far. I did have to go back and read the beginning part when they talked about the Radleys. I was confused about the difference between Nathan and Boo. I'm glad I did because it makes much more sense now. Sometimes if I get too much information in the beginning of the book I tend to zone out. I guess I zoned out on that part at first!

[Kyla]

I haven't started yet as I am currently reading something extremely fascinating. The discussion seems interesting, though. This was required reading last year and I've skimmed it twice before, but I've never enjoyed it. I'm trying it again on my own free will (as opposed to bring forced to read it), just to see if I'll like it/appreciate it more.

[Susy]

Joan wrote: "I've read through chapter 8. I'm really enjoying the book so far. I did have to go back and read the beginning part when they talked about the Radleys. I was confused about the difference between N..."

Yes, sometimes I have to go back in a book too cause I don't remember certain parts/details. I don't think it's because I zone out though, I just have a very bad memory so I easily forget certain details.

[Susy]

Kyla wrote: "I haven't started yet as I am currently reading something extremely fascinating. The discussion seems interesting, though. This was required reading last year and I've skimmed it twice before, but ..."

Looking forward to hearing about how you like it now Kyla!

[Joan]

I'm through Part 1. I love the character development but if the rest of the book is about the trial it seems like a long set up. The book so far is nothing like I thought it would be which is a good thing. It's a pleasant surprise.

[Susy]

I have the same experience Joan, I found it different from what I expected (although I must say I don't exactly know what I expected) but a pleasant surprise. I'm enjoying it and find it easy to read.

[Kyla]

I'm getting started now! I think that it'll be a pretty quick read.

[Lisa]

I have no idea what I expected... I have a tendency to happily suppress all memories relating to the required readings from high school :D
For that reason, I wouldn't even state I'm re-reading it, I would say I am "reading it anew" as an adult and thankfully I'm really enjoying it so far :)

[Kyla]

I didn't start til yesterday and I'm only 9 pages in but it's looking like it's either going to be a 2 star ("it's ok" read -- I've reranked all of my books by the Goodreads standards) or a DNF. Don't take my word for it because that's coming from someone who didn't like The Book Thief.

[Lisa]

Kyla wrote: "I didn't start til yesterday and I'm only 9 pages in but it's looking like it's either going to be a 2 star..."

Is there anything in particular you're not enjoying that much about it so far, Kyla?

Keep us updated, would love to hear whether your opinion on it changes as you progress :)

[Kyla]

Lisa wrote: "Kyla wrote: "I didn't start til yesterday and I'm only 9 pages in but it's looking like it's either going to be a 2 star..."

Is there anything in particular you're not enjoying that much about it ..."

Nothing in particular; maybe just the fact that I'm 1) not into classics and 2) just not sure (I liked the ending when I fully read it the first time). I'm glad that everyone else is enjoying it, though (just a slight touch of sarcasm lol).

[Kyla]

this is going to be a DNF - calling it now. there's always next year :( I'll come back to see everyone's opinions on the last part; it's really interesting

[Lisa]

I don't know if it's just me, but from time to time I forget that it's the POV of an 8-year old and I find myself having to regress in order to relate to Scouts understanding of situations.

[Sheila]

Kyla wrote: "this is going to be a DNF - calling it now. there's always next year :( I'll come back to see everyone's opinions on the last part; it's really interesting"

I'm sorry you aren't liking the book as it is one of my all time favorites, but that is what is so great about the diversity of books. What one person loves another does not and that makes for great discussion. I hope you find another Buddy Read that you enjoy.

[Sheila]

Lisa wrote: "I don't know if it's just me, but from time to time I forget that it's the POV of an 8-year old and I find myself having to regress in order to relate to Scouts understanding of situations."

I understand what you mean, but keep in mind the story is being told by an adult Scout as she remembers the story of her childhood.
However, Scout is very intelligent for her age (remember she learned to read from the newspaper at age 5) so she comes across sounding older than she really is. She has the innocence of an 8 year old and the vocabulary of a 30 year old.

[Joan]

I'm finally getting to the trial part. I'm hoping this kicks up some of the story line. Some of it I feel like is filler. You can feel the stress of Atticus' family leading up to the trial. It is a good read but sometimes I'm confused where it is going.

[Lisa]

Joan wrote: "I'm finally getting to the trial part. I'm hoping this kicks up some of the story line. Some of it I feel like is filler. You can feel the stress of Atticus' family leading up to the trial. It is a..."

I definitely felt the tempo kicked up a notch once the trial started and also with the repercussions of it :)

[Sheila]

Joan wrote: "I'm finally getting to the trial part. I'm hoping this kicks up some of the story line. Some of it I feel like is filler. You can feel the stress of Atticus' family leading up to the trial. It is a..."

Keep with it! It almost seems like a puzzle and you don't always see the whole picture until the final piece is in place.

[Lisa]

Speaking of final pieces, there was something in the end that confused me (view spoiler)[ Did Jem kill Bob Ewell and it all got covered up, or was in an actual accident? I thought it was a bit open-ended, so I wasn't sure.
I have to say though, at first I thought and hoped that it was Arthur "Boo" Radley doing more than just carrying Jem home (hide spoiler)]

[Susy]

Lisa wrote: "Speaking of final pieces, there was something in the end that confused me..."

(view spoiler)[Well to me it seemed it wasn't Jem and it wasn't an accident....it was Boo.... Or did I just see (read) what I wanted to see (read)? Lol (hide spoiler)]

[Sheila]

Has everyone finished the book? I think there is so much to discuss!

[Joan]

I'm only 60% completed but I should be finishing the next couple of days. I got hung up with my son's soccer games and my daughter's recital last week so I'm a little behind.

Use the spoilers though and once I complete it I'll chime in.

[Susy]

Sheila wrote: "Lisa wrote: "Speaking of final pieces, there was something in the end that confused me...."

Yay, then it wasn't just my wanting it to be so. I really liked the ending because of it (although you do see it coming).

[Susy]

Sheila wrote: "Has everyone finished the book? I think there is so much to discuss!"

If you reply to a message with a spoiler, it shows the spoiler..... You have to edit that part I'm afraid...

[Sheila]

I'm so sorry! This is my first time I've used the Buddy Reads. I usually wait until the end date to make comments. I'll be more careful in the future

[Lisa]

Welcome to your first Buddy Read, Sheila :)
And I agree, that there is lot's to discuss :) My kindle is full of notes :D lol

Sheila: (view spoiler)[I knew it was him the other times but I don't get why his final actions are not addressed directly (hide spoiler)]
Susy, me too. And yes you do. wouldn't have it any other way though :)

[Joan]

Sheila - you can delete your comment where it shows up. No worries I haven't read it. Go to the goodreads website and click on your profile picture, then click on my comments and then it gives you a list of your comments and it lets you delete it there. Delete before I tempt myself!!!

I wonder if I have done that before by accident. I didn't know that was a thing.

[Kyla]

Remember, I haven't read this in a year and I kinda dropped out of the buddy read lol but here are my opinions on the part at the end (view spoiler)[It was definitely Boo and the fact that he killed Bob Ewell just like that was super bada-- to me...I still don't get the scissors part (it might have just been lore but whenever he was basically stabbing people with scissors lolol). someone please enlighten me (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

Kyla, (view spoiler)[if I remember correctly, the scissors incident was just speculation. It was not known whether it actually happened or not. But it really goes to show the damaging power of gossip - the fact that those rumors plagued him the rest of his life and just made him out to be this "boogeyman" (hide spoiler)]

Edit: (view spoiler)[Actually, I just changed my mind. I think it definitely happened because in chapter 1 it says "when it happened Jem said Atticus shook his head" and that's when Jem goes to Miss Stephanie to ask what happened since she's the toen gossip.
As to the why, it all relates back to Arthur hanging out with the Cunninghams and causing disorder in the town.
"If the judge released Arthur, he [Mr. Radley] would see to it that Arthur gave no further trouble" (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

There was something else but I'm using the phone app so can't link it properly. I'll bring it up tomorrow if no one else comments it in the meantime : )

[Susy]

Sheila wrote: "I'm so sorry! This is my first time I've used the Buddy Reads. I usually wait until the end date to make comments. I'll be more careful in the future"

No problem. It happened to me too. I was just in time to edit because I did a preview first.

[Lisa]

So, I was writing this and accidently refreshed the browser so lost everything I had written. Trying this again.

*spoiler for chapter 1*
(view spoiler)[ The Radleys were described as a family that kept to themselves and worshipped from home, instead of going to church.
"The shutters and doors of the Radley house were closed on Sundays [...] closed doors meant illness and cold weather only."
Later it is again repeated that: "The doors of the Radley house were closed on weekdays as well as Sundays...."

What I found interesting though, is the fact that, even after the scissors incident, Mr. Radley didn't want to send him to the asylum because according to him "Boo wasn’t crazy, he was high-strung at times" "... he was not a criminal."
I mean, I understand it since it's very common of the time period, but still found it interesting.

After his (Old Mr. Radley's) death Calpurnia even describes him as "...the meanest man ever God blew breath into...”
Which in my opinion correlates very well with the description of his physical appearance and personality : "He was a thin leathery man with colorless eyes, so colorless they did not reflect light...." "he was so upright he took the word of God as his only law..."

"Nobody knew what form of intimidation Mr. Radley employed to keep Boo out of sight, but Jem figured that Mr. Radley kept him chained to the bed most of the time. Atticus said no, it wasn’t that sort of thing, that there were other ways of making people into ghosts."

So, obviously Arthur was a victim of abuse, beaten so much that he eventually just faded away. However, the fact that the shutters were always closed (even before Boo got in trouble) makes me wonder, whether this was perhaps an autistic child, or similarly organically mentally handicapped and yet disturbed even further?

I remember the movie portraying him as a broken man. but I feel the line "the closed doors meant illness ..." seemed meaningful in some way.
Maybe I'm just overthinking it. What do you guys think?
(hide spoiler)]

[Kyla]

Mini poll: (view spoiler)[Do you think that Boo killed Mr. Ewell bc he was trying to protect Scout and Jem or because he was super against racism and Mr. Ewell? I've always thought it was the latter (I was hoping, at least lol) (hide spoiler)]

[Lisa]

*answer to Kyla's mini poll* (view spoiler)[I think he does so in order to protect Scout and Jem. They are afterall the only ones in the whole town who tried to make friends with him (eventhough it was in a very invasive kind of way, lol) (hide spoiler)]