Book Review: To Kill a Mockingbird

Book-iography

Title: To Kill a Mockingbird

Author: Harper Lee
Published: 1960; May 23, 2006

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback

Pages: 309

Type: Stand-alone

Literary Award: Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, 1961

Bookshelves: Classics, Philosophical, Self-Reflection
Read: April 24 - April 28, 2012

Links: Goodreads

 Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Rating: 

What can I say?

To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely a must-read!

My sister had kept a copy of this book for years. Until recently, I never put my hands on the pages of this book. I always thought it was difficult to read (Well, it is). More than that, it's one of the classics, which is my least favorite genre. The last thing I would like to read this summer was a classic. Unfortunately, I don't have much money to satisfy my hunger for new books. As much as I want to read another YA book, I had no choice but to have my nose in To Kill a Mockingbird.

I almost gave up the first night I read it. It's nowhere near the classics I've read (i.e. The Iliad, Macbeth). Unlike The Iliad and Macbeth, To Kill a Mockingbird doesn't have much drama and action, but Harper Lee was able to pull it off. She made it simple, realistic, and absolutely funny. I fell in love with the book so much so that I continued reading while I was in the train, on the streets, and at school (of course, just in between class breaks). 

The story follows the life of Scout Finch, her older brother Jem, and their father Atticus in the poor town of Maycomb. Life in Maycomb is difficult because of the Great Depression, but being a well-respected legislator and lawyer in town, Atticus was able to provide for his children. 

Scout and Jem are extraordinary children who love to read, write, and play. During summer, their friend Dill comes over their place and together, they will try to solve the one of the greatest mysteries they have ever known: Boo Radley. Boo Radley is their mystical neighbor who was never seen outside his house. Superstitions say that he killed his father and he bit his mother's fingers off and ate it up because they locked him up in the house. Scout, Jem, and Dill believe this story, but they want to know if it's true. So, they tried to convince Boo to come out of his house by sneaking into the back window of his house, sticking a message on his window, and by knocking at his door. But if they find out the truth about Boo Radley, would the kids be safe with him?

Scout, Atticus, and Jem

While the kids are busy solving Boo's mysterious lifestyle, Atticus is facing the case of his life. He is assigned to defend an innocent Negro who was accused to rape a white girl. The society doesn't like the idea of a "white" defending a "black," that's why Atticus' family is put to stake. He receives death threats and grave insults. Beyond that, his children are also affected because they are mocked by their neighbors and schoolmates.

Worst, an angry white man attacked Scout and Jem with a knife. Will Scout and Jem survive? Will Atticus win the case? Will they release the Negro? 

There's no greater way to find out than to read the book yourself. It's worth your time and money. You surely won't regret it! :)

Enjoy reading! God bless you!

This review can be found at Goodreads. :)

laurice-with-love <3