To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

[Cassie]

Omg such an amazing book. I was a bit hesitant at first not quite knowing what to expect but it just blew me away the more I read!

[Megan]

This is one of my favorite books of all time. :) I've read it countless times and so glad yall are reading it now!

[Miss.terri]

I just finished reading the book. It was fantastic! I loved it. Now, I need to find the movie to watch!

[Melissa Jeanette]

I just finished this and I wish it didn't have to end.

[Megan]

Finished it today and I LOVED it. Can't decide if I like Scout or Atticus better...hmmm.

[Miss.terri]

I rented the DVD. It was really good. The DVD I rented was a double disc set. The bonus materal on the second disc was excellent. The bonus materal called "Fearful Symmety: The Making of To Kill A Mockingbird" was very interesting. It gave information on how things were in southern Alabama and interviews with the actors now older. It was funny what the actor who played Jem said about the one who played Scout.

The old saying: "The book is better than the movie" still applies with this book also; however, the movie can stand on its own legs and is very much worth the watch.

[Ivana]

I have just finished the book and i really loved it.

[Amy]

I have to say the book is good but it's not really grabbing me. I enjoy the character development because these kids lead such a different life than today's kids. Makes me yearn for a simpler time. Before I learned what stress was.

[Martha]

Even though it was set approximately 20 years before my childhood (I was a child of the 50s), it is very similar. I remember having such fun with my friends ... and virtually no stress, Amy! It's a different world.

[Amy]

Martha, even in the 70's as a child in a small town of less than 100, we could hang out anywhere in town and we were mostly safe. Could not do that today in a bigger town. Spent all those years trying to get away from the small town life and I wish I could go back to it.

[Martha]

I know what you mean. I do live in a small town - population under 1000. Even so, I'm very careful with my grandchildren. Did an internet search for convicted sex offenders in our county once and one was living across the street from me. A woman had abused a young girl. Unbelievable! They are gone now. Times are certainly different.

[Amy]

Martha, wow, that's scary. Yes, I believe one of my neighbors was a dealer. Wow. I do like the freshness of the book, and Atticus is amazing as a dad, almost to a fault. My parents were so not that way. Lol. Though I loved them.

[Dana]

I just started the book today. I have read Chapter 1 so far... I am looking forward to reading more tonight and discussing it with you all!

[[deleted user]]

So, I just finished To Kill a Mocking Bird. It took me a bit longer than planned due to other commitments. All in all I enjoyed it, although I wouldn't say it is one of my favourite books of all time. If you're interested in my thoughts, then please see my review.

[Amy]

I finally finished the book! I did like it, I just thought it was a bit slow, but I realize that's just the time. There were so many wonderful human insights and I really liked the ending. Good read.

[Kristi]

I started this book two weeks ago and am only one page 100, having had to pick up a more entertaining book in the meantime. I find Scout and Atticus to be such completely charming characters, but the story is so.very.slow and I really can't get into it. I will finish it, just to say I've read it, but it's going to take a while. I used Cliff's Notes in high school when we were supposed to read this, so I feel I owe it to my English teacher to trudge through it. ;-)

[Amy]

Kristi wrote: "I started this book two weeks ago and am only one page 100, having had to pick up a more entertaining book in the meantime. I find Scout and Atticus to be such completely charming characters, but ..."

Kristi

Lol. I thought it was very slow too. But I finished it. You can do it!

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

I didn't have time to reread this, but I wanted to pop in and say this is one of my all time favorites. Fantastic coming of age story with enduring themes about courage, integrity, prejudice, and honor. Loved it!

[Martha]

Me, too, Lady D. I can see where some would find it slow reading though. I had to pace myself to keep from just flying through it. I wanted to savor it. Of course, I knew what was coming up and just love all of it. The scene at the jail and the final scene always bring tears to my eyes.

[Dana]

I finished it last night. What a wonderful book! Makes me wish there was a sequel.

[Emma]

A highly enjoyable read tackling the racism and prejudice of the 1930s in the Southern U.S.A. and the hypocrisy surrounding such issues. The main characters acted as a good voice for the reader; Scout and Jem tackling situations head on with the uncomplicated, directness of children and Atticus who deals with situations aware of the complexities of the human condition. They introduce the reader to a number of individuals who are intolerably racist and situations that are wholly unjust but along with other likeminded characters express the desire for change.

I was a particular fan of the narrative-character contrast in language and vocabulary use as well as the classroom situation where the children were portrayed as wise beyond their years and their teacher quite to opposite.
I would have liked to have given this book 4.5 stars but alas it is not possible. This book lost half a star as I felt it was predictable in places and didn't absorb me as completely as some other reads have done in the past.

[Antonio]

I love Atticus, Boo (Arthur) and Scout.

I might read the book about this book.

I loved the characters, the detail of the book, and the continuous events. This is now one of my favorites.

[Mary]

Everyone is saying how wonderful this book is. I'm 36 and should have read it so many years ago, and now that I'm making an effort, I'm failing. I've tried 3x and get get past the first few pages. It puts me to sleep. What's wrong with me???!!! Help!

[Mary]

Mary wrote: "Everyone is saying how wonderful this book is. I'm 36 and should have read it so many years ago, and now that I'm making an effort, I'm failing. I've tried 3x and get get past the first few pages. ..."

**can't get past**

[Melissa Jeanette]

Mary wrote: "Everyone is saying how wonderful this book is. I'm 36 and should have read it so many years ago, and now that I'm making an effort, I'm failing. I've tried 3x and get get past the first few pages. ..."

It took me a couple chapters to really get into it, but it became totally worth sticking that bit out. Plus, after reading for a while, what at first seemed like typical antics of two kids, began to take on more meaning and kind of became richer, if that makes any sense. You kind of fall in love with everyone slowly...or at least I did.

[Melissa Jeanette]

Antonio wrote: "I love Atticus, Boo (Arthur) and Scout.

I might read the book about this book.

I loved the characters, the detail of the book, and the continuous events. This is now one of my favorites."

What is the title of the book about this book? That sounds like it could be an interesting read.

[Mary]

Melissa wrote: "Mary wrote: "Everyone is saying how wonderful this book is. I'm 36 and should have read it so many years ago, and now that I'm making an effort, I'm failing. I've tried 3x and get get past the firs..."

It's good to know I'm not the one who didn't find the book to be an instant page turner. I'll no doubt try it again for our discussions, but I may have to read something completely NOT classic in between. Thanks for the support!

[Dana]

Hi Mary,
I had to force myself to read two chapters at a time at first. It took me a while before I really started liking it. It gets better the more you read... Try to get at least half way through before you give up hope! ;)

Dana

[Bree]

Okay, I tried to pace myself, even though it was pretty hard, and I have fallen in love with this book again. I'd forgotten about the complete faith in humanity that children have. Such a bittersweet ending, and now I remember why I've hung on to this copy since sixth grade!

[Chris]

I just finished the book today. The first time I read it and I am so glad I did. Based on preconceptions I expected this to be more about the trial and about racial tension than what I found. This spoke to me more as a story about being a kid, growing up in a small town, and lost innocence.

Spoilers follow...

Perhaps I am too naive myself but I did not see Bob Ewell's attack on the kids coming... I knew who it was before long (certainly before Heck showed up) but I was well into the attack before I figured it out, and it was such a powerful realization.

I loved the ending, being read to as you fall asleep with your dad, the older I get the more I understand the phrase "you can't go home again"... but this book sure felt like a visit...

I see many praises for Atticus as a hero, and certainly well deserved... but what about Jem? More than once proving to be a hero... what a cool kid he is!

[Danielle The Book Huntress]

Chris, Jem was awesome. Good point!

[Jill]

I watched the movie last night (Gregory Peck version) with a friend. Loved it!

[Debbie]

I read this book in the eighth grade and reread it this month, and am so glad I did. With such a different perspective this time I really enjoyed it. I loved seeing the world through Scout's eyes. It made me want to focus more on seeing my world through my daughters eyes.

[Jennifer]

I already read The Hobbit and listened to the audiobook version of To Kill a Mockingbird. This is a good story about white and black race relations set a little before World War II. I really liked the character Atticus, who is a strong Christian. My favorite scene was when he spoke up for what he believes in.

[Book Concierge]

Here is my review ... or really reviews ... since I've re-read this so many times and updated my review recently.

To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
5***** and a favorite

My all-time favorite book. I first read it when I was about 13 or 14 years old and have read it at least 20 times. I get something new out of it each time I read it. EVERYONE should read this book.

In 1998 I was the discussion leader for my book club and my notes are as follows: "Southern" women/ladies; maturation; tolerance; security; self-esteem. I still am struck with the impact of the story. With Atticus' strength of character and parenting skill.

In 2004 I read the hardcover special anniversary edition and wrote: a singularly powerful book. Lee captures a time and place in American culture. 40+ years old and still fresh!

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August 14, 2010 UPDATE
I listened to the audio book for this, my (approx.) 20th reading of this classic of American literature. It is my favorite book of all time and each time I revisit it, I find something else that I’ve never noticed before. The audio version I had featured Academy-Award-winning actress Sissy Spacek. She does an admirable job, though her accent is wrong. She is a Texan, and the Southern Alabama accent is softer than her twang. Still, by the 2nd disc I had stopped noticing this, and allowed myself to be carried into the story by her expert reading.

* * * * * * * * * * *
UPDATE 22Oct2011
Without exaggeration, this must be my 20th reading of this classic of American Literature. It never fails to move me and inspire me and educate me. I find something “new” – or at least new to me – virtually every time I read it.
This time I paid closer attention to some of the minor characters, especially the women – Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra, Helen Robinson, Mrs Merriweather, Lula, Miss Maudie, Mrs Dubose, Miss Caroline, and Mayella Ewell. I was struck by what a wide range of personalities, strengths, weaknesses, and ethics Lee was able to express using just these minor characters (some appearing for only a page or two) living in a small town.

Many people feel this is a book about racism. I don’t think that is the core theme of this book, though it is the central plot device Lee uses. I think the major theme of the book is personal integrity and courage – doing what you know is right when all about you seemingly disagree and even when it may be dangerous to do so, being true to your own moral compass, and instilling those values in your children by example not just words.

[Riya]

I read this last week and was fairly surprised that I liked it so much - enough to give it five stars! Originally I just wanted to read it to be able to say thatI have read this all time favorite classic book, especially since it kept showing up on so many listopia lists.

I loved the character of Atticus Finch - the whole time I was reading the book I kept wishing Atticus was MY father.

Having finished this novel I now want to read The Help, instead of just watching the movie like I previously planned on doing.

[Anna]

Mariya, I also plan to read To Kill a Mockingbird and I plan to as soon as I can finish Jane Eyre.

Oh, I loved The Help. Haven't seen the movie, but I want to listen it on audio. I gave it five stars...I loved the book and you also enjoy it.

[Maggie the Muskoka Library Mouse]

An excellent novel!