Book Review: To Kill a Mockingbird

'To Kill a Mockingbird'
Author: Harper Lee


Format: Paperback
Published: Turtleback; Oct. 1988
Originally Published: 1960
Pages: 281
Genre: Classic
Grade: A
Source: Personal copy (from grade school!)


Synopsis: Set in the small Southern town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the Depression, To Kill a Mockingbird follows three years in the life of 8-year-old Scout Finch, her brother, Jem, and their father, Atticus--three years punctuated by the arrest and eventual trial of a young black man accused of raping a white woman. Though her story explores big themes, Harper Lee chooses to tell it through the eyes of a child. The result is a tough and tender novel of race, class, justice, and the pain of growing up.
Like the slow-moving occupants of her fictional town, Lee takes her time getting to the heart of her tale; we first meet the Finches the summer before Scout's first year at school. She, her brother, and Dill Harris, a boy who spends the summers with his aunt in Maycomb, while away the hours reenacting scenes from Dracula and plotting ways to get a peek at the town bogeyman, Boo Radley. At first the circumstances surrounding the alleged rape of Mayella Ewell, the daughter of a drunk and violent white farmer, barely penetrate the children's consciousness. Then Atticus is called on to defend the accused, Tom Robinson, and soon Scout and Jem find themselves caught up in events beyond their understanding. During the trial, the town exhibits its ugly side, but Lee offers plenty of counterbalance as well--in the struggle of an elderly woman to overcome her morphine habit before she dies; in the heroism of Atticus Finch, standing up for what he knows is right; and finally in Scout's hard-won understanding that most people are essentially kind "when you really see them." By turns funny, wise, and heartbreaking, To Kill a Mockingbird is one classic that continues to speak to new generations, and deserves to be reread often.


My Take: Some backstory first. No, this isn't the first time I have read this. I, like I believe many American children, first read this book in school. I remember it being one of the first (and perhaps only) books that was required school reading that I really enjoyed. I remembered the main story line, perhaps more a product of the fact that every time we had an English teacher substitute we watched the movie than a product of my amazing memory from sixth grade, but I did remember. However, one day while at work I stumbled upon the article of how the Beckhams named their daughter (once you come back from your eye-rolls I'll still be here). After recovering from laughing about "the revelation that it is Victoria's favourite book may surprise some fans, because it was widely thought she had never read a book." I was surprised to see the boost it gave to sales of To Kill a Mockingbird in the UK. Not because it shouldn't. I love this book, but because in the US, wouldn't most people have already read it, if not own a copy somewhere in their house? So I asked around. It turns out the Brits in our office had never heard of it, let alone read it. An office book club was formed!


Rather than attempt to review this beloved masterpiece, I am going to focus on what revelations I discovered upon rereading it from the point of view of an adult. Like I said, I remember loving it as a child but as an adult, I never realized how nuanced this book is. Our leading lady, Scout, is hysterical and very precocious. I can see why this book is chosen in schools because you could relate to her. She speaks up for herself, doesn't want to go to school, and is trying to understand the world around her. Jem, her older brother is a wonderful older brother. He looks out for her yet also often would like his independence as he grows up. Their mother passes away when Scout was young and they are blessed with an intelligent and loving father Atticus. He may seem a little out of his element sometimes with two young children to raise but his reaction to their many antics is calm, cool, and collected.

The meat of the story is that this book has morals to impart where many books these days don't bother with that. Atticus is a judge in a small Southern town in the 1930s and is defending a black man for raping a white woman. Any person reading this book can see that he didn't do it, however at the time it didn't matter. What mattered was a white family, however low class, accused a black man of doing such a thing and he should pay for the alleged crime. These are big issues. Adult issues. And the children in the book and the children who read this book have to wrap their heads around them. It's a fascinating way to deal with such an intense debate.

Of course their is also the infamous Boo Radley who haunts Scout and Jem. Boo never comes out of his house and Scout and Jem hope to someday catch a glimpse of him. Its an age old game of cat and mouse and it is an interesting interplay throughout the story.

Whatever it is that causes you to pick up this book, be it your first time, recollections of your childhood memory, or laughter sparked because of the Beckhams, believe me you will discover that it is always worth it to read this gem of a novel!

Cover Lust: I'm going to be honest, I've seen lovelier covers of this classic out there but it does scream 1980s and it couldn't have more symbolism wrapped up into one cover if it tried!