Reviews with content warning for Rape - To Kill a Mockingbird

In ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ Harper Lee explores the institution of racism when at its peak in the Deep South of the USA, set in Alabama during the late 1930’s. Lee explores this world through the eyes of a child, the young ‘Scout’ who goes about her day with her older brother ‘Jem’. Though this perspective doesn’t portray the direct effect of racial discrimination, with the limited perspective of a white child, the Finch family are on the borderline between races for Atticus, their father, is loving of all individuals and defending in court a black man accused of rape, a case he believes Tom Robinson was innocent in. As a consequence of this, the Finch family receive a fraction of such racial discrimination. There are those common skits involving To Kill A Mockingbird that are set in classrooms, and the teacher is mocked by the impersonator for outlining the use of racial slurs and that they shouldn’t be said but will be said when reading in class for “educational purposes”, so I expected such going into the book, though was shocked at the plastering of such slurs throughout the book, my impression being it only featured once or twice. Whilst this is an accurate representation of the time, and even to some extent reveals the unconscious racial bias of the protagonists whom believe they are wholly innocent in the institution of racism and good people, reading it was still uncomfortable. To Kill A Mockingbird is a book that really makes you think, such chapters such as those set in the courtroom stand out as scathing social commentaries yet also extremely engaging passages of writing, and two paragraphs individually really stood out to me because they beautifully explored the flaws of humanity. One such was a discussion on the inhumanity of the Nazi persecution of the Jews, the early stages of the Holocaust happening across the pond when To Kill a Mockingbird was set, and the characters who believe they are morally good are in disbelief at such persecution of people whilst it happens to African Americans right under their noses. The second was a paragraph I highlighted - “I don’t know, but they did it. They’ve done it before and they did it tonight and they’ll do it again and when they do - seems that only children weep,” such words illustrating humanity and it’s faults perfectly…

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calicat42's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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oakfika's review against another edition

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reflective relaxing sad 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? N/A

3.0

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bri1105's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

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bookish_bry's review against another edition

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inspiring reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I enjoyed this book, though the beginning was a bit slow. I already knew the ending of the court case considering that we'd watched (part of) the movie in an English class when I was younger, but it was still an intriguing aspect of the book.

While, of course, we all wanted the court case to go the other way, I think the doomed from the start case where they couldn't overcome it in the end aspect was very good. It speaks to Atticus Finch's character that he did his best despite the odds. It also illustrated the social issues at the time very well.

I also liked the ending with Boo (Arthur) Radley quite a bit. I think it really spoke to Scout's new perspective about how to think about and treat people developed in the book.

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martin27's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I fully understand why this book is considered to be so important. It’s incredible, with a lot of meaning and heart in every word. Some parts move so quickly that you can’t put it down, and some go slowly not because they’re boring but because it’s the kind of story you want to savor. I cannot recommend it enough.

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ellen_suth's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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? No

5.0

An all-time great, deserving of its status as a classic.

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