Reviews

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

kelhutch68's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional informative sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 Truly a classic novel that is relatable to all age groups.   I liked it when it was a high school must read and I loved it as a chosen adult reread.  

 

Centered on the racism, morals, and class system of the American South during the Great Depression, Harper Lee wove a beautiful tale with an underlying theme of courage.  In their own way, I felt that most of the characters exhibited courage at some point during the story.  I loved Atticus’s description in a conversation with Jem: 

 

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you are licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.” 

 

Both Atticus and Scout spoke to me as characters.  Scout as a no-nonsense, inquisitive tomboy who was determined to make up her own mind regardless of what was expected for girls because she reminds me of me at that age.  Atticus was the parent I always wanted and the one that I strive to be—leading by example, giving his children room to grow but being there to support, and answering questions honestly regardless of subject matter.  

 

There were so many moments in this book that I really liked—Boo Radley’s gifts to Scout and Jem, Ms. Maudie’s cakes and conversation, Jem and Scout walking Atticus home from work in the evenings, Jem teaching Dill to swim. I thought the relationships within the family and the community were well defined through the character interactions. 

 

This story is one of my favorite book endings where it all comes down to a question of what is more important….the morally right or the procedural/societal norm? 

 

In the words of Scout, “Well, it’d be sort of like shootin’ a mockingbird, wouldn’t it?” 

soondubus's review against another edition

inspiring reflective

5.0

lishiak's review against another edition

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

soggybunny's review against another edition

emotional informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

hanga's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

i_need_new_books's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

vlreid's review against another edition

5.0

Sissy Spacek is an EXCELLENT narrator!!

thisisthelion's review against another edition

5.0

Tras la publicación de Matar a un Ruiseñor., Harper Lee no hizo apenas ninguna aparición pública e intento trabajar en alguna otra novela que dejó porque no le convencía su resultado, mientras todos los lectores de esta se preguntaban cuando volverían a leer algo suyo. Y a mi no me extraña que Matar a un Ruiseñor fuera su única novela, porque con ella alcanzo el cenit literario y con ella será recordada como una de las mejores escritoras modernas.

La novela combina con maestría varios géneros y sus personajes son deliciosos, empezando por Atticus Finch, ese hombre y ese padre. No conozco personaje más icónico que él. Que el libro este narrado por su hija Scout es todo un acierto, ya que vivimos la historia a través de alguien involucrado en ella pero que ve el mundo de una manera inocente, ajena al prejuicioso mundo adulto.

Aunque la injusticia racial (que se representa muy bien a través de las reacciones de los personajes hacia al juicio en el que Atticus es abogado defensor) es el tema predominante del libro y sobre el que gira la trama, también se trata la diferencia de clases, los roles de género y la discapacidad mental, todo ello con el escenario sureño de fondo. Al final tenemos una obra maestra de la literatura que nos da una lección de vida. Porque casi un siglo después, sigamos comentiendo los errores. Debería haber más Atticus Finchs en el mundo.

Vi la película (que me parece una obra maestra y es mi favorita por antonomasia) antes de leerme el libro, y me enriqueció la experiencia de la lectura, ya que mientras leía lo que les ocurría a los personajes me imaginaba a los fantásticos actores de la película. Leáis el libro o veáis la película primero, ambas son cosas que debéis hacer, ya que la diferencia entre el lenguaje cinematográfico y literario hace que sean dos obras de las que se pueda sacar jugo.

smateer73's review against another edition

5.0

This book is so well done. It's sad, it's captivating, it's unique and inspiring. Everyone needs to read this book at least once in their life. (More like 5 or 6 times, but whatever)

oscarreads's review against another edition

5.0

The thing that really made this work for me is that it was told through the innocent eyes of children. Seeing them grow up and realizing that the world wasn’t what they thought was heart wrenching and by the end of the book I had become way too attached to these characters.

The Ewells were excellently written antagonists with almost no redeemable qualities which is why I think they were perfect for this book.

I can see why this book is a classic, and I’ll definitely read it again when I’m older.