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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, 1961

Author: Harper Lee

Publisher: J. B. Lippincott & Co.

Genre: Bildungsroman, Historical Fiction

First Publication: 1960

Language:  English

Major Characters: Scout Finch, Atticus Finch, Jem Finch, Arthur Radley, Mayella Ewell, Aunt Alexandra, Bob Ewell, Calpurnia (housekeeper), Tom Robinson, Miss Maudie Atkinson, Judge John Taylor, Dill Harris, Heck Tate, Stephanie Crawford

Setting Place: The fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama during the Great Depression

Theme:  Community and Convention, Female Sexuality and Friendship, Faith, Suffering, and God’s Will, Science and Superstition, Justice and Judgment

Narrator:  First person

Book Summary: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.

Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee takes readers to the roots of human behavior – to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos.

Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.

Book Review: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

With endless books and infinitely more to be written in the future, it is rare occasion that I take the time to reread a novel. And this time it’s To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, a timeless classic. The first time I read this I was much, much younger and I remember loving it then. Over fifteen years later, it still held so much for me – wonderful language and characters that I never forgot about, profound themes explored , and relevancy even so many years later. Harper Lee is one of the best female authors.

The story in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is told from the point of view of Scout (Jean-Louise Finch), a six year old girl , through various events that happen in the town of Maycomb and in particular, the court case of Tom Robinson as her father Atticus Finch acts as Tom’s defence lawyer. Tom, a black man who has been accused of raping a young white woman, has to endure multiple racial attacks. Atticus, widely described as the “most enduring fictional image of racial heroism”, describes the events to Scout so that she sees that all people should be treated equally.

“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

The narrator of this story is young tomboy Jean Louise (Scout), and her observations of Maycomb and people’s behavior are simple, honest, and visually very rich. I had no problem picturing Scout, Jem and Dill’s childish efforts to draw Boo Radley out of his house, or Calpurnia taking the kids to a colored church.

But when, after 128 pages, the court case begins and the plot really becomes intriguing, you immediately feel a rise in tension and excitement. Here Jem and Atticus become the main characters instead of Scout because they are more aware of the risks and importance of the case, although Scout’s moment with the mob was heartwrenchingly beautiful in it’s innocence.

“People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for.”

The last part of the book was less tense but never dull: it was important to show the aftermath and the effects of the case on different class – and races – of people to convey the impact of Atticus’ actions. Because back in 1935 and even now, in our current political situation, standing up for what’s right while the majority is against you, is an incredible brave and difficult thing to do.

One thing especially about this story that stood out to me, are the interesting gender roles in this book. We have Atticus who isn’t only presented as an amazing father but also as a great male character, because he’s patient, courteous, clever…but not traditionally masculine. In contrast with Bob Ewell, the main antagonist, Atticus isn’t physically strong, doesn’t use strong language, and hates violence (example: he keeps his shooting skills a secret from his children).

“The one thing that doesn’t abide by majority rule is a person’s conscience.”

His sister, aunt Alexandra, is a very traditional female figure who wants Scout to behave more ‘lady like’, and because Scout doesn’t like her (at first), we as readers dislike her too. Acting as her opposites are Calpurnia and Miss Maudie, who neither show traditional feminine characteristics like politeness and charm, but both are presented as good and right.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a well-loved book for many good reasons, but I was very surprised by its diverse male and female characters, who make this story even richer than it already is.

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To Kill a Mockingbird Hardcover – January 1, 1960

Purchase options and add-ons.

• Part of series To Kill a Mockingbird
• Print length 296 pages
• Language English
• Grade level 7 - 9
• Dimensions 5.75 x 1 x 8.25 inches
• Publisher Lippincott
• Publication date January 1, 1960
• ISBN-10 0397001517
• ISBN-13 978-0397001514
• See all details

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Product details

• Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lippincott (January 1, 1960)
• Language ‏ : ‎ English
• Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 296 pages
• ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0397001517
• ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0397001514
• Reading age ‏ : ‎ 14+ years, from customers
• Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
• Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
• Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.75 x 1 x 8.25 inches
• #3,344 in Legal Thrillers (Books)
• #60,725 in Classic Literature & Fiction
• #116,534 in Literary Fiction (Books)

About the author

Harper Lee was born in 1926 in Monroeville, Alabama. She attended Huntingdon College and studied law at the University of Alabama. She is the author of the acclaimed To Kill a Mockingbird, and was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and numerous other literary awards and honours. She died on 19 February 2016.

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Customers say

Customers find the book readable and memorable. They praise the superb writing quality and imaginative style. The story is thought-provoking and inspiring, with timeless themes like justice, empathy, and family. Readers appreciate the wonderful characters and interesting views on women. Many consider the book worth the price and a great addition to their personal libraries.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers praise the book's readability. They find it remarkable, memorable, and a classic. The story-telling is good and the scenes are powerful, evoking emotion.

"...For me, that is why To Kill A Mockingbird is the great American novel . It spans the gap of generations, and through Scout’s eyes, looks into our soul." Read more

"To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic that explores themes of justice, racism, and coming of age...." Read more

"...The scenes leading up to and within the courthouse during the trial are brilliant and evoke so much emotion as you "climb into another's skin and..." Read more

"... Wonderful read again and again ." Read more

Customers praise the writing quality of the book. They find the prose superb and engaging, with a strong literary merit. The story is described as remarkable and beautiful to read, with poetry on every page. The author has a sharp but warm command of the Southern vernacular suitable to her characters. The book is easy to read and tackles weighty themes with grace and subtlety, inviting readers to reflect. Readers appreciate the unforgettable narrator's point of view.

"...The prose is superb . The story is engaging and riveting...." Read more

"...The writing is so vivid and the characters really come alive. Your heart wants one verdict even though your head knows it's going to be another...." Read more

"...Lee has such a fluid prose that makes for excellent storytelling, especially through the coming-of-age narrative of Scout, and has a knack for..." Read more

"...While the book tackles weighty themes, it does so with grace and subtlety , inviting readers to reflect on the nuances of life and the intricacies of..." Read more

Customers find the book thought-provoking and inspiring. They say it's meaningful, full of life lessons, and interesting. Readers appreciate its sociology, history, and storytelling. The book creates a world that makes them sympathize with the characters and reminds them that the fight is important.

"...The story is engaging and riveting. There are moments that will make you smile , others that will make you angry and some that might bring tears to..." Read more

"...It's a must-read for anyone seeking a powerful and thought-provoking literary experience ." Read more

"...and within the courthouse during the trial are brilliant and evoke so much emotion as you "climb into another's skin and walk around in it"...." Read more

"...It is the perfect mix of values mixed with the times. To tie the values of Hitler to the values of Americans who can not see that men are men...." Read more

Customers find the story moving and touching. It invites contemplation on timeless themes like justice, empathy, and family. Readers describe it as a study of human nature and an eye-opening journey into the past. The principal themes are universal, including growing up and relationships.

"To Kill a Mockingbird is a timeless classic that explores themes of justice , racism, and coming of age...." Read more

"...Harper Lee created a wonderful work that incorporated a wide range of potent themes , wrapping class systems, gender roles, Southern manners and..." Read more

"...in its ability to engage readers across generations, inviting contemplation on timeless themes such as justice, empathy, and the struggle between..." Read more

"...She sees Atticus as a racist and feels deceived. The confrontation is realistic ...." Read more

Customers enjoy the book's character development. They find the characters wonderful and fascinating, with an interesting view of human characters and women.

"...Harper Lee's masterful storytelling and vivid characters have captivated readers for generations ...." Read more

"...The writing is so vivid and the characters really come alive . Your heart wants one verdict even though your head knows it's going to be another...." Read more

"...the coming-of-age narrative of Scout, and has a knack for creating exquisite characters that have left their immortal mark in the halls of..." Read more

"...This book is very good and you end up getting very fond of the characters it almost seems that your growing up with them...." Read more

Customers find the book a good value for money. They appreciate the characters and the perspective of Scout. The story is described as beautiful.

"...This book is filled with tolerance, understanding, values , wisdom, and humor...." Read more

"...the quality is great and it was the cheapest version sooo" Read more

"...Definitely would recommend and is a steal for the price !" Read more

" great price . great quality." Read more

Customers find the book's pace engaging and moving. They say it transports them to its time and place, with a gripping story and several moving pieces. The book is described as an emotional and thought-provoking read with a theme.

"...Just know that it is a gripping story with a conclusion that keeps you on the edge of your seat before Lee allows you to take a breath in the final..." Read more

"...Harper Lee's storytelling is at once compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving ...." Read more

"...This book was way ahead of its time and I am glad I decided over 20 years later to read it again." Read more

"..."us" as a society (not just in the 1930s but even today), moves me , inspires me,Possibly the best novel ever written." Read more

Customers have mixed opinions about the humor. Some find it funny and entertaining with a touch of childhood innocence. They appreciate the ironic effect when large events occur. However, others find the book boring and disheartening from beginning to end, with random details and unbelievable elements.

"...This book is filled with tolerance, understanding, values, wisdom, and humor ...." Read more

"I found the book interesting, but It has many stereotypes and cliches ...." Read more

"...sense of all the hustle and bustle around her, and this creates an incredible ironic effect where there are large events going on that the reader..." Read more

"...There's a lot of funny stuff about education and John Dewey...." Read more

Reviews with images

A classic is a masterpiece!

Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars A Look Into Our Soul

5.0 out of 5 stars classic.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Classic of Literature

5.0 out of 5 stars amazing again and again, top reviews from other countries, 5.0 out of 5 stars deserved the pulitzer, 5.0 out of 5 stars lo esperado..

5.0 out of 5 stars Precioso livro

5.0 out of 5 stars justice denied, 5.0 out of 5 stars todo un clásico.

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