To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Summary:

‘Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit ‘em, but remember it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird.’

Atticus Finch gives this advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of this classic novel - a black man charged with attacking a white girl. Through the eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Lee explores the issues of race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s with compassion and humour. She also creates one of the great heroes of literature in their father, whose lone struggle for justice pricks the conscience of a town steeped in prejudice and hypocrisy.

About the Author: 

Harper Lee was an American novelist. Her novel To Kill a Mockingbird won the 1961 Pulitzer Prize and became a classic of modern American literature. In 2007, Lee was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This recognizes individuals who have made "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavours". 

Rating: 

5 stars - ★★★★★

Review:

I really enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird. It is well written, gripping, full of interesting, fully formed and memorable characters. It’s a painful reminder of where we came from as a civilisation (or more to the point, lack of civilisation), and challenges us with how far we have to go.

To Kill a Mockingbird was very cleverly told through the eyes of a child. And due to this, quite a lot of information was kept from the reader, as it would be kept from a child, or would maybe go unnoticed or misunderstood by a child. Lee writes children very well, it felt very authentic, and there were even some parts that seemed familiar as a fellow imaginative child. I particularly liked the imaginary games that they played and I enjoyed reading Scout’s relationship with her brother Jem. It all felt very vivid, realistic and relatable. 

Atticus is definitely a wonderfully written character. He was one of my particular favourites in the book, as I believe he is for many other readers. He’s flawed and real, but the essence of the father figure doing his best for his children, and trying to show rather than tell them how to be was wonderfully conveyed.

I couldn’t stop reading at the pivotal action points which I always love as it makes me feel like a child again - reading under the covers with a torch. And the rhythm of the story was great as these more action-filled parts were peppered throughout the book, which really kept me turning the pages.

Just reflecting on the blurb that is presented on the back of the book, I didn’t feel like Tom Robinson’s story was as important a plot point as it’s made out to be. Obviously there’s a court scene which is very significant and a few other stories mentioned but it all seemed very matter of fact and toned down. Maybe this comes back to the point of it being told through the eyes of a child. A child wouldn’t necessarily put so much weight on these events, they’re much more interested in what their weird neighbour is doing. So I’m going to assume it was the author's intention to make Tom Robinson’s story like a sort of thudding constant in the background, popping up from time to time to interrupt Scout’s games. I was more intrigued by Boo Radley and what was going on in his house. However I do have to ask myself - who am I to request that Tom Robinson’s story be made more dramatic for my own enjoyment? His story was (and still is) a very real experience for many people of colour. Just because it’s conveyed matter-of-factly rather than with high levels of drama doesn’t make it any less real, and any less deserving of attention.

It is also worth noting that To Kill a Mockingbird is very much inspired by the author's own life and childhood. Harper Lee’s father also defended a Black person in a trial and it obviously had a lasting effect on Lee. There’s some elements of her coming to terms with what must have been a turbulent time in her childhood. I’ve read reviews which mentioned (in relation to Atticus) a ‘white saviour’ element, or some people have noted that they would have liked some more of the Black characters to have a voice. However, because the book is based on the author’s own experience, it’s very much told from her point of view and memories as a child. We also need to remember the time period that it took place in (1930s) and was written in (1950/1960s). Would it have caused as much of a stir if focus had been changed? Or if Atticus was not as compelling a character? I think it’s ok to appreciate a book for what it is, taking into account the time period. If this book was written now, it may not have the same reception and I may not have the same opinion of it. And I think that’s ok. Despite what we think now, this book did have a positive effect and challenged people in ways that they hadn’t been before.

I have Go Set a Watchman (the follow up book, published in 2015) to read although from the blurb, I’m worried about how Atticus’ previously established character will be challenged. I’d also be interested to read Truman Capote’s (Lee’s childhood friend and inspiration for Dill) Other Voices, Other Rooms which includes a fictional portrayal of Lee.

Overall I really did enjoy To Kill a Mockingbird. I was gripped from start to finish, the characters are memorable, it has historical significance, and definitely gave me plenty to think about and challenge myself on. I would recommend anyone reading banned books to get this one to the top of their list.