Am I the only one...

[Robert]

Malla wrote: "Greg, as a writer, I thoroughly agree with you. People who don't 'get' this book, get me. This book is about truth and justice. Morals, principles and courage to stand up for them in the face of pr..."

What about "Cry the Beloved Country"? Read it as an assignment in high school here in the US. What kind of impact did it make in South Africa?

[Chris]

I think it's a great book - though curious in a couple of ways. One is that the writing style is workmanlike rather than wonderful - Truman Capote, a great craftsman and personal friend of Harper Lee couldn't understand why the book was so popular as the writing wasn't up to his glittering standard!
The other odd thing about it is that it feels like two books - one is a warm reminiscence about small town life - Cider with Rosie in the deep south, and the other a hard hitting courtroom drama about racial inequality. The two feel separate.
Having said all of that - it's still a wonderful book which stays with you over the years.

[[deleted user]]

If you were underwhelmed by this book, there is hope for you. When the world becomes the horrible incarnation of one of any number of far fetched dystopian fantasies, you will be one of the protagonists, fighting against what the world has become

[[deleted user]]

Rebecca wrote: "who was underwhelmed by this book?"
I too was, I still am, and it seems I would continue to be overwhelmed, as I too have every reason everybody (including you)had/has.

Pravin Sarode

[Omar]

This is one of my favorite books, and so is the movie. The book, because of the details and characters that you either love or hate. The movie for the same reason, but also for the main star, Gregory Peck. He was the perfect choice for the role.

[Joe]

this book was great.

[Arnulfo]

Part of enjoying this book is the nostalgic feelings one gets from their their experience of growing up American. A lot of nostalgic small -town - USA. Sunday mass, tire swings, cold sodas on a hot summer day, kooky neighbors. IT was a great story for it's time, however a lot depends on which side of small town USA you grew up in. I still enjoy the movie, however I don't dwell on the negative. i am past it. It is a good study in sociology and the American culture. The year is 2012 and look at how much disrespect is shown to our commander in chief. i am a veteran of the armed forces and I can tell you we have had stupid and incompetent commanders-in-chief. CAn the same story be written today and be relevant? Yes.

[Cynda]

Jessica wrote: "it was fascinating to read this in 8th grade because my mother had raised me on the (paraphrased) Atticus quote: Atticus was the same man in the middle of the street in the noon-day sun as he was a..."

Maybe not dramatic, but I found it to be a beautiful concept, something to aspire to.

[Mark]

The problem with being perfect is, some people will find it boring.

[Read On!]

Rebecca wrote: "who was underwhelmed by this book?"

I'm afraid I was too (and I so didn't want to be).
Before I started it I told my mum I was about to read it.
She read it when it was first published as a girl and said she was blown away by it and really enthused about it to me.
I read it and all I felt was 'Meh'.
I can understand that when my mum read it the book must have been pretty ground breaking, especially to people like my mum who was used to segregation and the negative attitude she'd be raised with about ethnic minorities.
But as I've grown up with, worked with and am friends with minority groups all my life, the book didn't really strike a cord with me.
I found the court case especially predictable and the rest of the story merely average.
I reflected on it and thought it must have been a more powerful novel at its time of publication rather than in this day and age.
I'm sure I'm going to be blasted for writing this - eek!

[Cynda]

I wont blast you, Rebecca. Instead I am grateful that we are approaching a time that a few/some cannot understand the fear of Tom Robinson and the black community and their friends and the awful honor placed on Atticus Finch. Your comment gives me hope.

[Will]

Replace the black characters with Muslims.

And the townsfolk with Donald Trump supporters.

Yup. Still relevant.

[Harley]

Rebecca wrote: "who was underwhelmed by this book?"

You were not the only one. I suppose I was expecting more than what I got. Definitely underwhelmed.