To Kill a MockingbirdDescription by Goodreads:
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.
My Review:
This story is a classic because it continues to resonate with its readers/watchers no matter what decade or century one lives in.
I first read Harper Lee's novel in my ninth grade English class. It had a profound effect upon me. Growing up in Utah where everyone was pretty White I hadn't really thought about racism, I mean, I knew it existed, but I'd never been exposed to it either personally or in literature. So when I read this novel it allowed me to enter that world where it exists (I know it exists everywhere), but where it actually brought me into a world that dealt with it culturally as part of daily life. I remember while reading how appalled I was at the ignorance and hatefulness of these characters. I remember feeling akin to Scout and her brother and friend during their summer excursions and wondering who Boo was. I remember feeling injustice and sorrow and a desire to do my part to make the world better.
So once again I feel a classic is a story that gets me thinking about the world, my own prejudices and how I am pulled out of my comfort zone. To Kill a Mockingbird is just such a story. It is beautifully told through the eyes of a small girl and allowed me to see the events in a different view.
I was very surprised that this movie came out in 1962 since the Civil Rights Movement was still in its infancy. All of the actors did a superb job, especially Gregory Peck as Atticus and Robert Duvall as Boo Radley. The book is usually better, but I still felt the impact of the story in movie form. Thus, both have impacted me and continue to do so each and every time I read/watch this beautiful and poignant story.
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all time favourites.
ReplyDeleteGreat review
Love the book and the movie. Gregory Peck was just so good as Atticus. We named our cat Scout 11 years ago :)
ReplyDeleteLove both the book and the movie. Of course, I have crush on Gregory Peck ever since I saw "Roman Holiday;" after I saw "Mockingbird" I wanted him for my dad.
ReplyDeleteA coworker recommended this movie and book to me because she knows I like 20th century American classics. Thanks for your honest and thoughtful review. I'm definitely adding this to my to-read and to-watch lists. :)
ReplyDeleteI hate to admit this, but I haven't read the book or seen the movie. I've meant to do both, but just have never gotten around to it. Your review makes me want to read and watch the movie!
ReplyDeleteI have a few awards for you here: http://lovesromances.blogspot.com/2009/08/thank-you.html
I've not watched the film ( I think I will, after your review) but I've loved the book- it's such a classic :)
ReplyDeleteAnother award for you!
http://atpemberley.blogspot.com/2009/08/another-award-and-update.html
I love awards, thanks, Kals, again!
ReplyDeleteI have three teenagers and since this is required reading in 9th grade in our district, it's been wonderful to watch them experience this fantastic novel for themselves. We went to the Colorado Shakespeare Festival's production of the play version this summer, and the story and the way Lee tells it are just so powerful. Great review--thanks.
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