to kill a mockingbird

[Gowgirl]

Every time I read this I want to cry, yet I still keep going back.....anyone want to discuss?

vanilla snort

I do enjoy it but for me, it's more the setting than the story. I love the descriptions of the hot Deep South weather, the gardens etc etc. That said the interaction between the 3 children is wonderful and Atticus seems such an inspiring father (until you read Watchman...)

My recommendation for American literature is anything by Carson McCullers.

One of my favourite books too. I also love the film. Book first read at 14 and gets a reread every 5 years or so. Have passed to my teenage daughter and am waiting on her verdict!

There's some brilliant but heart breaking Deep South fiction around at the moment. "The invention of wings" by sue monk Kidd was amazing, as was "the dry grass of august". Really thought provoking and eye opening

I love it. Studied it at GCSE and I think I'm the only person in my class who came out loving it rather than hating it.

'Anne Shirley (of green gables) called her oldest son jem.'

He was James Matthew, though. Jem was just a pet name, like Rilla for her daughter Marilla and Nan for her daughter Anne.

Jezabella1 I also saw the play at The Open Air Theatre! It was amazing wasn't it?!

I watched it again at The Barbican and Bob Ewell was no longer young and hot but much, much more nasty and intimidating! [Wink]

I absolutely LOVE this book! (hence the username... )

I've enjoyed it over and over again as I think it's a story that you can appreciate at all stages of life: A story you can love as a child. Childhood memoirs through Scout's eyes of endless summers, first days at school and innocence and imagination. Her fear and fascination of Boo Radley, something we can all relate to when looking back at our own childhood's, when you are not armed with an adult's perspective and your imagination runs wild.

The book takes a new hold in your teenage years as you discover the world isn't all rosy and you try and make sense of the dark and troubling realities of life. I think Jem's story speaks strongest at this stage. Especially his emotions around Mrs Dubose's death and his anger at the result of the court case: 'It ain't right, Atticus!'

Then as adult, where you can truly appreciate Atticus. Not just as the heroic father as seen through Scout's eyes, but feel enlightened by the many, many morals and life lessons he tells. The book covers so much: Social equality, ethics, courage, justice, judgement, morality... (to name but a few!)

And now as a parent, I find myself looking back at Atticus. I admire his parenting and his honesty with his children. He's very protective of them but he never lies.

I just adore it. And I do love the movie, but for me, the book is best. The movie cuts some of my favourite moments of the book!

oneshotfinch it really was. So moving and well acted by the children. I started the book the very next day after seeing it.

Sad to hear sexy Bob is no more. Much more fitting (and less confusing) to be the nasty intimidating shit he was!!

I have a Jem. We've met one other.

Loved this book. I do wonder that it's popularity is due more to the incredible film version rather than the writting.

Jezabella1 Yes at the Barbican, Ewell's was portrayal was far more darker - volatile and a nasty drunk. He was stumbling around in some scenes, shouting angry, racist abuse. When Mayella takes the stand, he grabbed her and forcefully pushed her forward to the front of the stage, whispering angrily threats to her. It actually made for quite uncomfortable viewing -that's a credit to the writing and acting, I suppose.

I got to meet some of the cast afterwards (Atticus and the true stars of the play -the kids!) and got to tell them what a wonderful tribute to the book the play was!

I cannot get on with this book! I've started it several times but it just doesn't grab me and I never get past maybe the first third.

I totally don't understand the adoration, at all.

If you think it 'sugar water' then frankly you haven't understood it

In your opinion. It's possible to read To Kill a Mockingbird, understand it, and still think it's pretty weak stuff.

ohmrbadger and scarednoob thank you, I have just ordered a few books...

This thread has just reminded me to read more!

oneshot such great acting. I saw it in Regent's Park open air theatre on a balmy August night. Truly magical I left in tears at the end

Gowgirl :Every time I read this I want to cry, yet I still keep going back.....anyone want to discuss?

For me, the moment that always makes me cry, without fail is the final chapter where Scout takes Boo home and turns and looks at the street and she see's things from his perspective. There is just something so beautiful and emotive about the writing there, it's like poetry! It really moves me and I cry every time!

Jezabella1 I loved the atmosphere of the Open Air Theatre -really fitted the story. Sadly, I saw it on a drizzly night in May! Not quite the stifling Alabama heat, but magical nonetheless! LOL

I agree OneShotFinch. It is an amazing paragraph.

I love this book. It was not ruined for me by being taught to me - I am always bemused by this as I loved lots of the books I was taught. Perhaps I had better teachers than some others.

I sobbed my way through last night, dh is bemused by my rereading what to him are tatty paperbacks quite a few stolen from the school librairy 20 odd years ago!

HumphreyCobblers I read an article with Robert Sean Leonard who played Atticus in the play in London. He said during rehearsals that he suddenly burst into tears during that bit and, to quote: “On the last page of this novel, out of nowhere the book lifts into the air and switches into the third person, into poetry...” which I felt summed it up so perfectly.

He also talked about understanding that it's not Atticus' story (even though he is the famous character -probably due to Peck's memorable performance!) -but it's Scout's story.

I knew after reading that, that I wanted to see the play as I new he got it and wasn't going to ruin the character. LOL! And he did a great job. For me, he portrayed the Atticus in the book perfectly.

The Catcher In The Rye was a pile of drivel,I agree.

I think I might need to don my flameproof suit before I say this, but I utterly despise this book

It's the ultimate white savior tale that became popular in the 60s because it put white people at the centre of the civil rights movement. In reality that movement had nothing to do with fair minded white lawyers or their innocent children who could innately understand fairness and equality. It completely sidelines the men and women of colour who really did change the world. It is a nothing more than a work of absolute fiction that allows white people to position themselves as saviors rather than oppressors. In reality there is no record of a single white person ever doing anything in the 30s remotely like the protagonists in this stupid book. No record exists of a single white person ever interfering in a lynching for example. It's one of the most studied books on the planet and I find it baffling that it continues to be so popular.

oh no, I LOVE the catcher in the rye!!! why do you think it's drivel? honestly interested

DozyDotes

I think you make a fair and valid point. I hope people don't see it that way -that the civil rights movement was lead by fair minded white lawyers. But I accept that the success of the book and certainly the movie may overshadow some of the real heroes.

That said, I don't think it hurt to have a character like Atticus -a white professional man, respected by his community. Portraying the moral values he held as heroic made him a good role model for those who were full of hatred and intolerance.

The race issue and the trial was focused on in the movie. It doesn't actually take up a huge portion of the book. For me, I enjoy the book -not for it's moral message, but because it's just a really nice coming of age story about a woman remembering her childhood. I like the chapters about long, lazy summer days, playing with your brother and friends etc...