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3.21 AVERAGE
3.21 AVERAGE
Alright, lots of thoughts here:
First off, I want to say that Harper Lee is a beautiful, wonderful writer, and I wish we had been fortunate enough to get more of her work.
That being said, I have some serious questions about the ethics of this novel even being released. I remember the controversy surrounding her agreeing to publish this at all, but reading through the book has completely heightened all of those concerns. Not only does this entirely undermine the point of the whole first book, it also has a lot of plot inconsistencies that make me question if Lee ever looked at this book after she originally decided not to publish it. Henry even existing to me was interesting, given that there was already a character in Dill who could have filled his role for the most part. The biggest, most glaring mistake to me, however, was claiming that Atticus won the rape case from Mockingbird, when the whole point was that he knew he couldn't win, but still wanted to do what was right.
I know people frame this book as "growing up and realizing your heroes aren't all they seemed to be," but I think there's a difference between that intention, and completely changing the fundamental character of a person. Atticus cannot claim that all men are created equal, which he does in Mockingbird, and then say that some people are "fundamentally backwards" as he does in this one, and not have that be a flip of character. And when Scout tries to hold to her convictions, as she's been taught to do, she is immediately told by all of the men in her life that she is wrong, and immediately apologizes and turns around to their way of thinking.
Overall, this book broke my heart. It was wonderfully written and kept me glued to the page, but overall, I just can't abide by the message it or it's publication sends.
First off, I want to say that Harper Lee is a beautiful, wonderful writer, and I wish we had been fortunate enough to get more of her work.
That being said, I have some serious questions about the ethics of this novel even being released. I remember the controversy surrounding her agreeing to publish this at all, but reading through the book has completely heightened all of those concerns. Not only does this entirely undermine the point of the whole first book, it also has a lot of plot inconsistencies that make me question if Lee ever looked at this book after she originally decided not to publish it. Henry even existing to me was interesting, given that there was already a character in Dill who could have filled his role for the most part. The biggest, most glaring mistake to me, however, was claiming that Atticus won the rape case from Mockingbird, when the whole point was that he knew he couldn't win, but still wanted to do what was right.
I know people frame this book as "growing up and realizing your heroes aren't all they seemed to be," but I think there's a difference between that intention, and completely changing the fundamental character of a person. Atticus cannot claim that all men are created equal, which he does in Mockingbird, and then say that some people are "fundamentally backwards" as he does in this one, and not have that be a flip of character. And when Scout tries to hold to her convictions, as she's been taught to do, she is immediately told by all of the men in her life that she is wrong, and immediately apologizes and turns around to their way of thinking.
Overall, this book broke my heart. It was wonderfully written and kept me glued to the page, but overall, I just can't abide by the message it or it's publication sends.
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It took me at least 3 pages to realise the character they were talking about was Scout! I haven’t read To kill a Mockingbird in a while. I feel like this was a real slow burner and I wasn’t sure were it was going for pretty much the whole book. The social commentary in the end and the way it’s written happens so fast but so perfectly! Twists that I would never have expected, an ending that I didn’t want but I’m glad it ended the way it did. It felt important to end it that way and sadly probably true for a lot of people in that place at that time!
Pff I was so disappointed in Atticus, not the way I wanted the story to go. I will forever love Scout tho
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
I had been putting off reading this book due to questioning if Harper Lee had ever wanted it published and felt that her attorney went against her true wishes. I also was worried about it destroying Atticus Finch. The book was fine. Did it have to be published? No. Did it destroy Harper Lee's reputation? No. Did her attorney make bank? Probably.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
tense
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:
Yes