To Kill a Mockingbird
by Harper Lee
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Book Reviews of To Kill a Mockingbird
Book Review: The Nature of Integrity
Summary: 5 Stars
The daughter of a noted attorney, Harper Lee was born in 1926 in the small town of Monroeville, Alabama. Although she studied law, she became increasingly interested in writing, and in the 1950s she created a series of semi-fictional, semi-autobiographical writings about the events of her childhood. Over time, these writings developed into a novel, and she completed TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD in 1959. Published in 1960, the book not only proved an instant bestseller but received every critical accolade available, including the Pulitzer Prize. It also proved controversial, and almost fifty years later the American Library Association continues to list it as one of the most frequently challenged and banned books in both the United States and abroad.
Told in the form of an extended flashback, the novel unfolds in a series of scenes in which Lee seems intent upon evoking the small challenges and quiet charms of childhood in a small, Depression era southern town. We are introduced to Scout, our tomboy narrator, and her brother Jem and their playmate Dill, and we join in their summer games: climbing to the treehouse, rolling in a tire, and most particularly their fascination with "Boo" Radley, a mysterious recluse of unsavory past who has long been a focus of town gossip.
Written with remarkable simplicity, it is a charming, often comical tale--but as the story extends it comes to focus not so much upon Scout and Jem as upon their father Atticus Finch, a noted local attorney who is suddenly appointed to defend a black man accused of the vicious rape of a white woman. And Atticus Finch is a man of rare integrity, quietly but firmly determined to bring the facts of the case to light. In doing so, he places himself and his children at storm center of a controversy that threatens to tear both his family and community apart and which ends in violence and death.
In 1960, with the United States of America embroiled in the Civil Rights movement, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD was considered a political statement. It proved a lightening rod for controversy, and in truth the novel still speaks to us of the evils of racism. If this were all, it would be a novel of historical interest and little more. But that is not the case.
The two threads of the story--the children's fascination with Boo Radley and Atticus Finch's defense of Tom Robinson--are not separate portions; they interweave and ultimately dovetail into a seamless whole, remarkable in narrative, brilliant in clarity, to create a portrait of social bigotry counterbalanced by deep humanity, at times monstrous, at times deeply beautiful as only perfect honesty can be. The characters spring to vivid life; the events unfold with a mixture of the unexpected and inevitable. There is pain, there is suffering, but there is growth as well, and as the children grow in knowledge and understanding so too does the reader. It is a remarkable work, not only capturing the texture of life in a small southern town, but bringing its events to a universal level that transcends time and place and touches something that speaks to the best in all of us.
Since the novel's publication, Harper Lee has become almost as much a recluse as Boo Radley, seldom appearing in public, even more rarely speaking or writing for publication. She has never again created a work of this length. Even so, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD places her at the forefront of American authors. This is a great novel. I wish I had written it.
GFT, Amazon Reviewer
Book Review: To Kill A Mockingbird
Summary: 5 Stars
My Review on To Kill A Mockingbird
I am fifteen years of age and I read "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee as part of my English course. When my English teacher first gave us this title, I must admit I was far from delighted. I was not very optimistic because " To Kill A Mockingbird" was completely different to the type of book I would usually read. At the library I used to quite happily breeze past the shelf crammed with classic novels such as these, on to my preferred light hearted teen books about romance etc... However after reading this novel I can gladly say I have been completely converted. The novel, which I had thought would be dull and boring, has become one of my favourites. My opinion of "To Kill A Mockingbird" has changed entirely and I have nothing but absolute respect for its author Harper Lee.
The story of "To Kill A Mockingbird" takes place in the small close-knit town of Maycomb, Alabama during the 1930's, a time when Negroes were still segregated from white people. It was also the same time as the "Great Depression". The story is narrated by the truly, loveable character, of Scout Finch, who is only six years of age when we first meet her. The story begins quite slowly, telling us how Scout, Jem (her brother) and Dill (their friend) spend the summer before Scout starts school and the different attics they get up to, such as their unsuccessful efforts to get the neighbourhood recluse, "Boo" Radley to come out of his house. When school starts Scout finds herself getting into trouble very often and she is even given out to by her teacher for being able to read and write!!
The story up till this point has been fairly light-hearted and even humorous. Suddenly, the novel changes and increases in its dept, dealing with serious issues such as racism, prejudice and violence. Scout and Jem's father Atticus, a lawyer in the town is asked to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Scout and Jem have to deal with many crude and disapproving remarks about their father from their classmates and the people of Maycomb. The children are forced to mature quickly and they begin to see the true colours of their neighbours, who up till now, Scout and Jem had thought were the best kind of people in the world. They start to see that the people of Maycomb are deeply racist, prejudiced and hypocritical. The children also develop a newfound respect for their father when they see his bravery and moral courage to do the right and just thing.
This fine novel is truly captivating and a masterpiece of writing. The author cleverly uses the innocence and curiosity of a small child to tell this story. Through Scout's young eyes we see what she sees and hear what she thinks. "To Kill A Mockingbird" is so compelling; I just couldn't put it down! I kept finding myself turning the page to see what was going to happen next.
I would recommend "To Kill A Mockingbird" to men and women, boys and girls, both young and old. I would definitely give this novel the "Big Thumbs Up" and the most possible "Stars" any review could give! I don't think I can say much more about this book to persuade you to read it, but let me just say I promise you will not be disappointed. "To Kill A Mockingbird" really is a timeless classic that you will be truly proud to see sitting on your bookshelf, among your collection years form now!!
Enjoy! * (",) *
Gill Moore
Book Review: A Book That Influenced My Life: How to Kill a Moockingbird
Summary: 5 Stars
Joana Miraflor
August 17, 2006
Period 1
Jem and Scout, the children of a Maycomb, Alabama lawyer, Atticus Finch, deal with hardships and prejudice throughout the story. They share a secret friendship and adventure with Boo Radley, who lived across the street and left them all sorts of surprises in the tree hole until it was cemented. Their father, Atticus Finch, was responsible for the life and case of Tom Robinson, who had been accused of raping a white woman named Mayella Ewell because of his race. Scout was raised without a mother-figure because she passed away and was known as the tough girl with attitude. But she grew up with Atticus's perspective of equality for all. They were taunted by townspeople because that reason. Mayella's father, Bob Ewell, is shocked that Atticus proved him wrong during the trial so he end up trying to kill Jem while walking back home with Scout, after a school play. Boo Radley rushes to the scene and saves the two children bringing them safely back home. After staying by Jem's side, Scout finds out that the creepy man across the street wasn't so scary after all.
"To Kill a Mockingbird" was very influential. Before reading this story, I thought to myself,
"Great, I'm being forced to read this, I won't like it one bit." But surprisingly, I loved it. It taught me life lessons about people, family, friends, and how people dealt with conflicts back then. This story showed me that without great minds that believed in equality, the better and comfortable environment we live in wouldn't exist. Plus, we'd have to deal and live with everything these characters went through.
This story taught me that there were numerous people out there that didn't show or give respect just because someone else was different. It showed me the hatred different races had against each other back then and how racism affected one's life greatly. Atticus gave the Tom Robinson case his all, even though people said only the negative about it. His children went through the obstacles with him and stood up for him in front of Tom Robinson's jail cell. "To Kill a Mockingbird" has a lot taught me that if you work as a family and keep each other on their toes, you can get through anything and everything regardless of everyone else's opinions.
From reading this book, I learned how much self esteem a person needs to get through life. Once that self esteem lowers, everything else goes downhill with it. Atticus was ahead of his time and had his own point of view on people and how life should be lived, especially without racism. I agree with his perspective because racism just builds up to more issues and no one out there needs more problems. I am thankful to be living is a more positive society compared to those times. I am also grateful that the intensity of racism back then isn't repeating itself today as well.
Lee's style of writing contained the southern accent in most of the character's dialogue, especially the townspeople. The dialogue helped the reader sense the character's feelings, a stronger way without having to describe everything plainly. Some of Lee's choice of words was words used long ago. Although this could have complicated things, each chapter consisted of a different situation happening in Maycomb. This made it easier for the reader to understand what was going on and when even with the complex vocabulary and terms.
Book Review: Race Through the Eyes of a Girl
Summary: 5 Stars
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee tackles the moral and realistic views of racism in the story of a girl and her small southern town. Set in Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, the book vividly depicts the issue of race and how a young girl overcomes the boundaries of color to show her community that there is more to someone than the color of their skin. Scout, the main character, lives with her brother Jem and father, whom she calls Atticus. Atticus teaches her and Jem that race really means nothing and that every person deserves the chance to be respected and treated fairly. Atticus is completely non-violent and will not even show the children how to fire a weapon. The family's black cook Calprunia tells the children to never kill a mockingbird, because they are only here to sing. During the summer Scout and Jem befriend a boy named Dill who becomes fascinated with an almost "haunted" house owned by Boo Radley. The children begin to trespass on the mysterious property and soon find little gifts left in a knot in one of the trees. They are shot at by Boo's father and in the chaotic events Jem loses his pants. He finds them days later mended lying on the fence. The children come to believe that Boo is behind all this confusion.
Meanwhile, Atticus is assigned to a case involving a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white woman. Atticus tells his children that they might be taunted and treated unfairly because he was taking the case. The children take the criticism openly and even spend Christmas in a black community and become friends with everyone there. They attend a mass with Calprunia and become more comfortable with the open and accepting black community there. Sadly, Tom Robinson is found guilty by a racist, unfairly picked jury, even though Atticus proved that Tom did not rape the woman. While in prison an angry mob wants to kill Tom. Acting quickly and effectively Scout talks the huge crowd of adults into not killing him and letting the whole fiasco go. Imagine seeing a six year old talking a monstrous crowd out of killing an innocent man, whom she does not even, really know.
The father of the "raped" girl attacks Jem and Scout, but Boo is mysteriously there to help them and ends up killing the crazed man. Scout and Jem realize that Boo, even though different from them, is a truly caring and a good person.
Harper Lee relates that the Mockingbird symbolizes innocence, which includes Tom Robinson, Jem, and Boo Radley. These innocent characters have lost something or been almost destroyed by others. Needing help they unknowingly turn to Scout to recover what they have lost. Lee also reveals that race can be conquered by even a six year old girl like Scout. Scout shows the angry mob that what they are doing is wrong and is completely unnecessary, telling them they must treat everyone with respect. Lee also depicts the morals of a small southern town, by the hate and racists beliefs that fill almost everyone's minds. Through Scout, Harper Lee shows that the innocence of a child can overcome the terrible boundaries of race. Harper Lee wrote a meaningful and symbolic story revealing that race is ultimately nothing and that every human should treat all of mankind with the respect that everyone deserves. This is an outstanding novel that should be required reading for any child or adult. This novel can truly change the way you think about life and your fellow man.
Book Review: This Book Enhanced My Imagination
Summary: 1 Stars
If you think that the title and the star rating don't go well together, keep on reading...
To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel set in Alabama during the late 1930s. The novel has a first-person narrator who is a girl named Scout. The novel has two parts: Part 1 and Part 2.
In Part 1, Scout describes her ancestors, family at the time of the novel's setting, neighbors, early years in school, interactions with neighbors, and experiences with her brother Jem and her father Atticus.
In Part 2, a black man is accused of a serious crime and declared guilty by a white jury even though there did not appear to be any sound evidence that he was guilty. Atticus was the defendant's defense lawyer. I will not say what happens after this in case you want the climax to be a surprise.
Now, let's compare the two sections. Atticus denounces racism in both sections, and there are examples of racism in both sections. However, most of the characters mentioned in Part 1 do not have any involvement in the trial that I mentioned earlier, which I think is a key element of not only Part 2, but the entire novel. In Part 1, there was one particular character that got a few too many pages focused on her.. especially when taken into consideration that she died before Part 2 (the "important part").
Here is another problem: The novel is told from a child's perspective. Indeed, I did noticed well-presented character development in Scout's personality, but it's all about Scout. Everybody else is static. It is true that children have limited perception of adults, so the static presentation of the adult characters is definately realistic. However, this is not a "children's book;" there clearly are mature subject matters. The target audience would have to be teenagers or adults. With that in mind, the static presentation of adults does not correspond with the target audience.
Nontheless, my views of this novel are in a minority category. This book is a classic, and I can understand why. The author has an impressive understanding of the time and place in which this book is set. However, that does not mean that the book is a good NOVEL! A detailed setting is enough for expository text, but a NOVEL must take advantage of the elements of FICTION. When I said elements of FICTION, I meant a detailed, consistent plot, well-rounded characters, a broad range of perspectives, variation (but connections) in subject matter (all of which relates to the ENTIRE PLOT), a lot of characters that influence the outcome of the plot in their own, unique way, and so forth. To Kill a Mockingbird does not take advantage of the elements that NOVELS have to offer, and NOVELS can offer more than just a detailed setting. For this reason, I am going to give this novel a one star rating.
I also want to comment on the offensive language (mostly rude racial slurs). Yes, yes, I know, the language was realistic, and I am not trying to say that it makes the book innapropriate to read. However, realism does not eliminate the ability to offend people. Whether or not the language is a problem for you is not my decision to make, but just take this paragraph as a caution.
Now, as for the title of this review, the book did enhance my imagination. It inspired me to imagine... criticims.