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izzzi's review against another edition
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
chloelyee's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
heather_marie__'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
dnietoperafan's review against another edition
4.0
This book was an amazing reading experience for me. At the start I was a little confused on where the story was going, but as I kept reading everything started to connect. Not only did this book made me react physically when things happened, but it also gave me more understanding of the situation for people of colour back in the 1930’s. It break my heart, but it also gave me hope.
I would recommend this book to anyone. The beginning may be a little slow, but as soon as the children are taken to a black church by Calpurnia, that’s when the climax begins. I can’t stress enough, this book is great.
I would recommend this book to anyone. The beginning may be a little slow, but as soon as the children are taken to a black church by Calpurnia, that’s when the climax begins. I can’t stress enough, this book is great.
jerseynoonatic's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Racial slurs, Racism, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cursing
alexareadsbookssometimes's review against another edition
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
To Kill A Mockingbird is an American classic that many had to read in high school. After over 10 years I decided to go back and give the book another read and it’s surprisingly easy to read and very quick to go through.
As the book is a reflection on racial injustice and prejudice in the American south through the eyes of a young white girl, Scout, whose father Atticus has to defend a wrongly accused black man in court before the judging eyes of their small town. Scout growing up and beginning to understand how racism is both nonsensical, ever-present, and has horrific effect is quite seamlessly used to make the reader reflect on what it is like to grow up in America in this reality. Her innocence and curiosity drive her to question the behaviour of the adults around her while being taught by the adults to stop questioning it.
I find interesting that Atticus’ approach to dealing with racist acts of the characters in town is tomind his own business and advising his children to do the same. When I first read the book in high school I thought the author was implying that Atticus was the all-knowing, ever wise character throughout the book and you were not meant to question his actions. However, Scout and her brother Jem get attacked by Bob Ewel despite Atticus’ assumption that he would never follow through with them. While it may be that the author wants readers to think about the meaning of the attack given the context of Atticus’ attitude, I think the result is a more muddied perspective rather than any particular point of view coming through. It is unclear if this lapse of judgement by Atticus, resulting in the lack of protection and ultimate harm of his children may be intended to show that one is not to under estimate bigots, but this is vague.
Other themes are very clear such as “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” and “you cannot judge a man before walking in in his shoes” are very clear … but also simple and obvious. Though, simplicity and tropes are not always a bad thing.
I also think that for a book about racism, it focuses largely on whit perspectives and I think there was missed opportunity tho have greater variety of black adult voices for Scout to learn from.
While overall I think the book was very well paced and thought provoking, I found the narrative to be slightly overly simplistic. There are better written books about depression-era racism in the American South out there that go further in the discussion of racial injustice and southern culture. I think it’s a decent weekend book or for high schoolers to write an essay about, but not life changing.
As the book is a reflection on racial injustice and prejudice in the American south through the eyes of a young white girl, Scout, whose father Atticus has to defend a wrongly accused black man in court before the judging eyes of their small town. Scout growing up and beginning to understand how racism is both nonsensical, ever-present, and has horrific effect is quite seamlessly used to make the reader reflect on what it is like to grow up in America in this reality. Her innocence and curiosity drive her to question the behaviour of the adults around her while being taught by the adults to stop questioning it.
I find interesting that Atticus’ approach to dealing with racist acts of the characters in town is to
Other themes are very clear such as “it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” and “you cannot judge a man before walking in in his shoes” are very clear … but also simple and obvious. Though, simplicity and tropes are not always a bad thing.
I also think that for a book about racism, it focuses largely on whit perspectives and I think there was missed opportunity tho have greater variety of black adult voices for Scout to learn from.
While overall I think the book was very well paced and thought provoking, I found the narrative to be slightly overly simplistic. There are better written books about depression-era racism in the American South out there that go further in the discussion of racial injustice and southern culture. I think it’s a decent weekend book or for high schoolers to write an essay about, but not life changing.
wormythebookworm's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0