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To Kill A Mockingbird
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I was originally not going to participate in this group read - the last time I read To Kill a Mockingbird, I hated it. Of course, after a little thought, the last time I read it I was in gradeschool. So, I decided to give it another chance and got a book on tape from my library. And, boy, am I glad I did! I've enjoyed this book much more the second time around. The classic tale of youth in a small town artfully mixed with mystery (that Boo is a little creepy!) and race relations makes this book a treasure. I was in stitches over the snowman incident. Hope everyone else enjoyed!
I have been trying all month to get this book read but thngs keep getting in the way. If I can't squeeze it in this month, I'll get to it next month for sure. I've wanted to read it for a while now.
To be honest I read this book in High School and I now only remember bits and pieces of it. I know I enjoyed but I don't think I'll be re-reading it as I have waaaay too many books on my to-read list to get to and if I don't remeber all the details then it's probably not worth re-reading. I don't really believe in re-reading books because there are too many books out there to read.
I'm so glad this book was chosen. I didn't read it in school so this was my first time, and it was outstanding, definitely worthy of sitting in the classics section. I loved Atticus as what I would think of as a hero in real life. Darn near the perfect book for me. I can see though where it may be less gratifying for black readers, and I wonder if someday their won't be a treatment from Calpernia's or Tom's point of view. Love to hear other's take on it.
I think it's one of those books that you should read at least three times in your life. My first time was when I was around 22. Then again, here at one of the Goodreads clubs. That was a couple years ago, I think.The thing I remembered through the years was the mad dog scene. That stuck in my mind.
And the movie - I've seen that a few times, of course.
A wonderful read, and an enduring Classic!
Absolutely a "must read" for everyone I think.
I think this is one case where movie lives up to the book. Both 5 stars
I read this book in secondary school, and it was one of the few that I never regretted reading. Brilliant and heartbreaking. Great to see it on the list, look forward to the discussions!
I read this in Year 10, was pretty indifferent towards it. (Mostly because at the time we were studying a lot about race relations. And mostly because the "race relations' in the book are a little foreign to me. Aussie race relations have a few different connotations.)Reread it last year and loved it. Truly a funny, sad but still poignant tale.
@Somerandon - as a fellow Aussie, I know what you mean when you say that 'race relations' are very different in Australia. I guess I never read the book with that in mind, though, so that's why we had different experiences at school.
Lee wrote: "@Somerandon - as a fellow Aussie, I know what you mean when you say that 'race relations' are very different in Australia. I guess I never read the book with that in mind, though, so that's why we ..."Ahh that would explain it yes. =) Perhaps 15 year old me was not yet ready to enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird. lol
Somerandom wrote: "I read this in Year 10, was pretty indifferent towards it. (Mostly because at the time we were studying a lot about race relations. And mostly because the "race relations' in the book are a little ..."I've never considered this book to be about race relations. I think it's about personal integrity - about doing what you know is right even when it may be unpopular and costly (to yourself and/or your family).
Book Concierge wrote: "Somerandom wrote: "I read this in Year 10, was pretty indifferent towards it. (Mostly because at the time we were studying a lot about race relations. And mostly because the "race relations' in the..."When we studied both the book and movie in class, race relations were pretty prominent in our lessons. Kind of hard to overlook, regardless. I mean that is a big part of the reason for the trial and everything.
This is a really amazing read! Quite a gripping read. I loved reading it! (one of the few prescribed novels that I actually enjoyed studying & reading.)
And now we have Harper Lee's new book coming out. For her sake, I hope the quality is high; but as a reader, I want to see anything by her more than something well-edited by a writer with a less profound mind.Shelley
http://dustbowlstory.wordpress.com
A few years ago, a friend of mine from Mississippi read a few passages of To Kill a Mockingbird out loud to me. I'd read the book twice and seen the movie, but it was unbelievably rich and captivating being read to and listening to the narrative in a thick southern accent.The new book coming out from Harper Lee was actually written before To Kill a Mockingbird but takes place 20 years later, when Scout visits Alabama as an adult. When Lee submitted it to her publisher, he suggested she rewrite it from another perspective. Hence, To Kill a Mockingbird. Harper Lee thought the original book was lost. It's a pretty interesting story, particularly for anyone who has ever tried to publish a book, received constructive criticism, been rejected, etc….
Here's a link to the story: http://www.npr.org/2015/02/03/3835782...
Re-reading this classic for the first time since high school. I had forgotten how potent it was. Looking forward to Go Set a Watchman!
I read this book back in high school, over 20 years ago, and then re-read it 2 years ago. I know as a teenager reading it I did not truly understand its significance, but as an adult I did. I have already pre-ordered her next book and there is a group of us who plan on meeting to discuss the details.
You can find it in the upper right outer corner of the message box by clicking on the link (some html is ok).
Sooo.... bring it on!