To Kill a Mockingbird
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Is this book good? Or is it boring?
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Sharon
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rated it 5 stars
Jan 31, 2012 04:57PM
I personally loved it.
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This was a seminal book for me when I read it in middle school; it showed me the impact of racisim and the value of treating people equally. My 12 year-old son is reading it now, and I'm happy that he's enjoying it as much as I did. I agree with Sam; it's a book that forces you to think and is much better than the mindless TV and video games available to kids now.
To be honest I didn't like the book. I thought it was boring and the characters were average. That's probably because I had to read it for english at school.
Loved it, it is such a classic and the film is also amazing (with Greggory peck) such a good lesson
I love the movie too...Gregory Peck is a perfect Atticus!
I listened to this book on CD. I thought it was great. But I do find that a book can be more interesting and entertaining when when someone else is reading it.
I like the book now. I had to read it five years ago, and again four years ago, and at the time, I hated it. But I went back and read it again at the beginning of this year- this time, I had discussion questions beside me- and I loved it.The story line itself isn't amazing, but if you have the right questions, if you know what to think about as you read it, the book begins to make more sense. I don't think it's something someone would just pick up off of the shelf- at least, I wouldn't- but it is a good book to read for a discussion.
Obviously it's a matter of opinion. I read it with the same kind of trepidation as you - it had bene on special offer but I wasn't sure how good it would actually be. Turned out to be one of my favourite books :3 Just try reading it and if after a few chapters you can't stand it, then the book isn't for you.
To Kill a Mockingbird will be shown at Niagara Square Cinema in Niagara Falls, Ontario on Wednesday February 15th. I may swoon to see Gregory Peck on the big screen!
I mean it wasn't great but it was ok. I had to read it for English.
Brian wrote: "Please, can we not get personal? I’m guessing that the “high school student” remark at the end of your comment was directed at me.Amanda wrote: "That being said, there are DEFINITE technical aspe..."
So true.
I named my daughter Harper Lee. Do I need to say more?
Amanda wrote: "Actually, Picasso is a great example of what I'm talking about. Someone can look at his work and say "eek, that's bad- my five year old could do that." That would be a PREFERENCE. However, someone ..."Right on thank you for spelling it out so clearly!
Delaney wrote: "Ok, so is this book good? I heard it is, but I've also head it's the most boring book on the planet...Can someone shed some light on this book for me please?"What makes this book fascinating is that the whole story, which apparently is about a very serious societal issue, is narrated from a 6 year old child's perspective.
One of the best books I've ever read.
Citra wrote: "Agree with you, Brian. There's no right or wrong when performing art or judging it. It's all in the eye of beholder. There are many things that make a book classics. Being socially acceptable is on..."Actually, yes it does mean that you don't know anything about literature and anyone who likes Twilight IS an idiot
Wastrel wrote: "Caveat: I was forced to read it, hence partially biased.That said: it's a rubbish book. It's too short and superficial to really be 'boring', per se, but it's certainly uninteresting. It's the li..."
You sir, are a moron
Loved this book, in my opinion its the best book ever written.
My opinion might not be greatly valued here because the number of books I have read and really disliked is small. With that being said, I read 'To Kill a Mockingbird' last year for school and I really liked it! I found at the beginning it was hard to get into because I had to get used to the old time language that was used and it took a while to get into the beef of the story but once I did it was well worth it! It has more than one good life lesson in it as well as lovable characters and suspense to keep you reading. I think it would be boring to a simpleminded person.
It is an okay book but it is hard to get into and you know it is hard to get into if I can hardly get into because I have gotten into every other book I have read. I had to read it a second tie to actually get into it.
I read the book in high school. I was forced to. Much to my surprise, I liked it. I reread it recently, and I have to say that if the book was restricted only to the sheriff's speech to Atticus at the end (regarding Boo Radley), it would be a great book.
I never saw the movie.
I never saw the movie.
Wonderful book--read it three times!
I first read this book in high school. I still have that copy and my daughter used it in middle school. In my opinion To Kill A Mockingbird is a brilliant story and deserves to be a classic. I also have the DVD and Gregory Peck was fantastic and movie was true to the book.Maybe some people think the book was boring but way Haper Lee told a story of racism and the impact that it has on Black and White people and how in one way or another no one is winner was amazing.
We all owe thanks to Gregory Peck. He held on to some creative control of the film, and kept the "suits" from ruining Horton Foote's stunning screenplay.Shelley
Rain: A Dust Bowl Story
http://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.com
It's a little scary to be honest. To think we haven't changed that much. But I'm half way through and know the story already because I've seen the movie and my whole family loves it and likes to discuss it. It's really good. It's a bit slow but in a good way. =)
Brian wrote: "Amanda wrote: "And I have to disagree with an above poster- if a book is a "classic," that DOES actually mean that it is good, objectively speaking, in the ways a literary critic would qualify a bo..."
Actually, yes. Once you set criteria and look at how well they are fulfilled, you have a standard by which to measure. When we speak of a classic, we mean that it stands the test of time. That characters are accurate, interesting mirrors of human nature as it really is, not as we would like it to be, and that the book has gravitas--the weight of import, whether it be comedy or tragedy.
Twilight? Sacre bleu! I'm going to go find my high blood pressure medication now.
Actually, yes. Once you set criteria and look at how well they are fulfilled, you have a standard by which to measure. When we speak of a classic, we mean that it stands the test of time. That characters are accurate, interesting mirrors of human nature as it really is, not as we would like it to be, and that the book has gravitas--the weight of import, whether it be comedy or tragedy.
Twilight? Sacre bleu! I'm going to go find my high blood pressure medication now.
I have read this book every decade for the last 40 years and each time it brings new meaning and importance for my life. I will make it a point to read it every decade I am blessed with. Perhaps I should start reading it every 5 years. The older I get the more I need the comfort this read offers.
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the best books I have ever read. It was a transformative experience for me and I have re-read it dozens of times in the intervening decades. It captures so well the attitudes and the mores of that time and place; the devestating impact that ignorance, coupled with poverty, has on the lives of a small Southern town. Atticus Finch is a noble character and translates well across the years and the different cultural milieus. This book is so worth reading.
You should really read it. i'm a 7th grader and i thoroughly enjoyed it. you have to notice the little details to fully enjoy the book. it has a LOT of symbolism and you have to under the changes which the characters go through. it is an AMAZING book.
It starts off slow as you get to know the people and the place then it takes off.
I would say that for starters that it is boring but then I read the book but then I haven't finshed it yet but then it is an english assignment which I don't like as much
Of all the books I have read in the past 68 years, this is #1.
On the mention of Twilight above...I can say TKAM is a billion times better than that literary fail.
I have just finished it. It's wonderful. Everyone should read it.
i thought it was disspointing i had heard it was really good (and it was) but i expected it to be better then it was
The book is an excellent one to read, but may not suit everyone's tastes. I do recommend that you at least try out the story.
This book is so good. I highly recommend it. It's better than the movie.
Katelyn wrote: "It's boring."
I'M SORRY BUT HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT???
I'M SORRY BUT HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT???
I read this book when I was about 13 or 14, and it was really good! It may be boring in parts, but I don't remember ever being bored out of my mind. There are funny parts, too. And some parts, if I remember correctly, are actually kind of scary. Do read this.
I'm an ELA teacher who has taught this book for 25 years and just recently my government education guru has suggested that we no longer use it in the classroom b/c we need to use "authentic literature" and "easier reading materials" to meet the needs of our students today. One class of average to slightly above average readers just finished with it and all 30 of them said they had never enjoyed a book more than this one. "Boring" might indicate a lack of grasping the style and vocabulary level at first. However, once a reader gets used to the narrative voice of this very intelligent little girl, her wit and ability to see people for who/what they are, and can connect the Alabama of the 1930's to one's own backyard, it becomes a valuable experience. I had students (17 yr olds) suddenly looking at their own school and commnunities with new eyes. I hope everyone loves it as I do.
This book is a classic for good reason! A tale of a man who faces incredible challenges and emerges on the other side with his dignity intact--what more could you ask for? The unreliable narrator technique is used to perfection. This book was a big influence on me as a youngster, and it's no surprise that the whole "put the main character through the wringer but allow him to find redemption in unlikely fashion" storyline figures prominently in both of my first two novels: 'The Second Life' and 'Out of Dark Places'
Definately a book worth reading more than once. I too read this novel in high school and found it again about a year ago. Stuart McLean of CBC tells a story about Marley who joined a book club. She tried to fit into the club, sat in the wrong chair and just couldn't read the books that were discussed. Finally in a quiet moment she finds a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird that her son owned. She rereads it and remembers why she loved reading books. It's a sensitive book.It was Harper Lee's only novel despite her literary connections. I'd highly recommend it.
It all depends on your tastes in books. I am trying to get through a few of the classics but used to modern day Angel {fantasy} type books...So, it was really good yet slower than what I was used to. But again, it was a good book and hard to put down. You may really enjoy the book. :0)
Rosie wrote: "I read this book when I was about 13 or 14, and it was really good! It may be boring in parts, but I don't remember ever being bored out of my mind. There are funny parts, too. And some parts, if I..."I read this when I was about the same age. And yes, it is a good book :)
It's Alright... I Wouldn't Find It Exciting Or A Real Good Story But It's A Waste Of Time To Read Really!!!
I teach this book to my college students.I find something new in it every time. Harper Lee has enormous integrity.
Shelley
Rain: A Dust Bowl Story
http://dustbowlpoetry.wordpress.com
Brian wrote: "Yes, it is very boring. While I did like the idealistic values that the novel expressed, I couldn’t bring myself to appreciate the book for them. It wasn’t enjoyable to read at all. I feel that the..."I second that! I too found the book very boring. Have read quite a few classics till now, voluminous than this one but I literally had to drag myself through the story...Seemed as if the author kept on jumping from one key character to another with no particular aim in mind.
Nevertheless, the ending kinda elevates the novel to another level. It's because of Boo's action in the end and the decision of Atticus and Mr. Tate that the book gives satisfaction to the reader and justifies your reading it!
I loved it. It's my opinion that depending on the time that you read a book you will like it more or less and I read at the right moment. It's one of my favourites, but I cannot assure you that you'll love it. I can understand that the point of view of a child can be boring, even though it wasn't the case with me. Nevertheless, I think it's worth it. The narrative style , the treatment of the social issues and the ending are excellent.
One of the finest novels ever written and far from boring, in my opinion. It manages to portray a difficult and realistic world while making it a world the reader wants to spend time in, mostly thanks to evocative detail and wonderful characters. I love the way the main storyline is interwoven with individual episodes without feeling forced. How many writers dream of writing a book as great as this? I certainly do, but I'm humble enough to know that it's very unlikely.
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