Voted America’s Best-Loved Novel in PBS’s The Great American Read

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep South—and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred

One of the most cherished stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular motion picture, and was voted one of the best novels of the twentieth century by librarians across the country.

A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view -” ~Atticus”Sir?” ~ Scout”-until you climb into their skin and walk around in it” ~Atticus

How can I possibly do justice to this unbelievable piece of American Literature? I will try my best!

First, readers should know that Harper Lee based her story on the events of her 10 year old self growing up in Monroeville Alabama in 1936. She was witness to an event in her hometown that inspired this story.

“To Kill a Mockingbird” is one of the most powerful stories you’ll ever read because of Harper Lee’s ability to intertwine the Gothic themes like:

• Racial injustice

• Rape

• Inequality

• Destruction of Innocence

• Courage

• Compassion

With day-to-day small town living in 1930’s south. She was able to tell a deeply moving story that has reached my soul in so many ways. I have become such a part of these characters and I know I will never forget them!

Atticus Finch, Scout’s father, puts everything on the line to defend an innocent black man. The description of the jury, trial, people, and the outcome will become part of your being! Jean Louise, “Scout”, and Jem become so passionate about irradiating racial inequality because of the way their father fights for Tom. What happens to Tom probably won’t surprise you if you know anything about that time period but it will enrage you. No doubt.

“Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up peoples gardens, don’t nest in corn cribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird”. ~ Miss Maudie to “Scout” (neighbor)

Themes, Motifs, and Symbols…

1) Essentially, all people have good and evil qualities in them.

2) Children learn sympathy and understanding from their parents as well as hate and evil.

3) Big gothic themes are beautifully weaved together with small town daily living.

4) The Mockingbird is a symbol of innocence.

“I think there’s just one kind of folks. Folks”. ~ “Scout”

I am incredibly happy to have this book as part of my read pile. I’m sorry I haven’t read it sooner but I believe books fall into our lives for a reason and at a certain time for a reason! Now, to read the highly controversial “Go Set a Watchman”. I can’t wait!

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Writer Harper Lee was born on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama. In 1959, she finished the manuscript for her Pulitzer Prize-winning bestseller To Kill a Mockingbird. Soon after, she helped fellow writer and friend Truman Capote compose an article for The New Yorker which would evolve into his nonfiction masterpiece, In Cold Blood. In July 2015, Lee published her second novel, Go Set a Watchman, which was written before To Kill a Mockingbird and portrays the later lives of the characters from her Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Lee died on February 19, 2016, at the age of 89.