To Kill A Mockingbird

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

O.K. gang, here we are with our newest group read and I know all of you are anxious to get started. I myself just finally got my library copy (don't know where my personal copy stalked off to) on Saturday and I have cleared the first 3 chapters. I know that this book contains language that while historical to the time and place, is now considered inappropriate and offensive. I would like to keep this, and all discussions, as clean as possible, so if a certain word needs to be referenced, please just use the following "n"(upper or lower) to stand in for said word or words similar in nature.

Otherwise, I know that most of us read this for school and I will be interested in knowing what your thougts are now. I know that Narzain did not read this in school, so this is his first time with this great work. So, I think our general guidelines of 3 chapters at a time will suffice and we can go from there.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

So, keeping in mind that this book was published in 1960, but set in 1935, do you think that Atticus was a parent ahead of his time? I think that his practical side, the lawyer in him, allowed him to teach his children the best way he knew how. Did it make him progressive for the time? Sure, but did Scout and Jem turn out the better for it? Maybe.

I love how Jem uses the phrase "you're being a girl" to egg Scout into doing something. That threatening her with her gender is an insult to her tom-boy ways.

So, for those of you reading this for the first time, what are your first impressions? To those of you who read it for school and have not re-read it since, are you finding things you missed the first time?

[Narzain, The Minister of Awesome]

So far, it seems like I'm mostly in the set-up part. There's been some talk about the trial, but it hasn't begun yet. I don't really have a solid impression yet, since nothing much has happened.

I imagine that Atticus was ahead of his time, in more ways than one. As for how Scout & Jem are turning out... I'll see when I get there.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I know that at some of you may still be waiting for your copies, but for those of you finished yours, what did you think of the book over all? Did it make you think? Do you think that this book still stands today or do you think it is a good slice of history?

[Narzain, The Minister of Awesome]

I liked it. It's a different style & pacing from most of what I read; for a while I was waiting for something to happen, but the 'something happening' was just more subtle. It was more about the attitudes & interrelations than about the events.

I think it is as thought-provoking today as when it was first written, if for slightly different reasons. The views on racial tensions, and preconceptions that are strong enough to overcome facts, are just as valid now as in the 60's.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

Yet the book is set in the 30's. Do you think that when she wrote it influenced you? Or do you think that this is a stand alone work?

[Narzain, The Minister of Awesome]

No, I think it stands on its own. I didn't even know when it was written until I was already halfway through, so I doubt that shaped my perceptions too much.

[A.]

This was my first and soon to be only time I have read this book. I could not get into it and failed to see why it won the Pulitzer prize or why it is even listed as classic. While it was a fairly quick read, I had a hard time developing interest in the characters or their situation.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I guess that's why you read it mostly in school. I loved the book so much, I bought it. I got the movie from the library and Narzain and I watched it together. I think it won the Pulitzer, because it is a look at social injustice and since it was published in the 1960's, it fit into the social upheaval.

[Joy]

Hi, I'm new to this group - thanks Kim for the invite! I'm glad to see you are reading one of my all time favorites! I bought the 40th anniv. edition a couple years ago. I also have the movie. I've been meaning to read the book again.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

First, let me say Welcome and I hope you are happy here. All book discussions are open ended, so please feel free to read this or anyother book we have read and post a comment. I loved this book in school and was so impressed, that I have a hard cover edition from is first published year. Alas, it's not a first edition, but still pretty cool.

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I just wanted to mention that 2010 is the 50th anniversary of this remarkable book.

[Joy]

Good to know, Kim. I bought the 40th anniv. edition but haven't re-read it yet. I also have the movie...

[Kim, Wild-eyed Bibliomaniac]

I love the movie. Some acting group is going to re-create the courtroom scene.