We read "To Kill A Mockingbird" by Harper Lee a few months ago, but since no one has posted about it yet, I thought I should start the conversation. I feel like everyone who goes to school in America ends up coming across this novel at some point in their academic history, so that alone separates this novel from others. It's a classic, a "must read". And while I had read it a very long time ago, it was nice to read it again and refresh my memory of the characters. I also re-watched the film that starred Gregory Peck (which one him an Oscar) and while there are a few things that are omitted from the novel, I think it stays true to what the core of the novel is about.I love that the novel is centered around the two children, Scout and Jem. You see things so much simpler through their eyes and they question things is such an honest way. They are children, but they are able to see right and wrong better than the adults because they aren't jaded or influenced by life's lessons yet.
I also appreciated how the novel deals with race relations in such a tender, yet firm hand and there's never any ambiguity that choosing to treat others differently based on the color of their skin is acceptable or fair. But it's presented in such a way that says that although things are the way they are now, that doesn't mean that they'll be that way forever and you shouldn't be discouraged against your belief in the good of people. I will definitely be adding this to my children's bookshelf for them to read when they are old enough.
What did everyone else think of the novel? Did anyone else see the film? What were your thoughts?
2 comments:
I think it's a great book and I like how it explores the issues of race and class in a simple, beautiful story. I saw the film quite awhile ago, but don't remember much about it. Should check it out soon and see how it compares to the novel. What'd you think of the movie?
I didn't read To Kill a Mocking Bird in school, so I'm glad I had the opportunity to do so for bookclub. I think it is a fantastic book and a great teaching too--like The Help, it illuminates cultural differences between the northern and southern states. I too would like to see the movie.
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