Remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird... (To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee)

Member Name: djwill

Product:	To Kill a Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Date:	17/05/06 (339 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Portrays a very strong message, it will stay with you forever

Disadvantages: Nothing, well worth the read

Whilst casually flipping through some so-and-so Sunday newspaper magazine something caught my eager eye. It was a Top Ten of books we should all read before we're six feet under. And the number one book was none other than Harper Lee's 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. I was compelled to read it and am now, (about half a year later) proud to say that I have and that it was well worth it!

'To Kill A Mockingbird' is narrated from the perspective of Scout Finch, a young girl who lives with her older brother, Jem Finch, and her father, the well respected and esteemed lawyer of Maycomb, Atticus Finch. Scout and Jem have mini adventures, and one summer, befriend a boy named Dill. Immediately a strong friendship and sense of unity is established between the three, causing a growing fascination with a spooky house on their street named the Radley House, where one of the residents is known as the shady Boo Radley, who's never come out of the house. It's a long story, with a lot of in depth characterisation, especially Jem, but what perhaps the epitome of the book (and ultimately what it's most revered for) is the story surrounding Atticus. To the consternation of Maycomb's racist white community, Atticus defends a black man named Tom Robinson, who has been accused of raping a white woman. Because of Atticus' decision, Jem and Scout are subjected to abuse from other children and are forced to grow up, to realise the prejudice in America, and how the differences of colour really are shamefully important.

When I started to read this book, I couldn't put it down. That may sound clichéd, but they're always handy at conveying certain emotions. Simply put, the book was a revelation to me. Although going into the book, thinking it was a courtroom drama (as the film had led me to believe), I was pleasantly surprised to find that it wasn't. Instead it was about a little girl, growing up in an environment of racial tension that divided a community. How, through the wise and indomitable teachings of her father, she grew up to realise that 'you never really understand a person until you climb into his skin and walk around in it'. The book is compelling because it focuses from a naïve perspective (Scout's) and we are able to witness the great teachings of Atticus Finch through her eyes. The style of narration chosen elevates Atticus' character, making him noble, which I believe was Lee's intention. As a result the book is perhaps well known for creating one of the most respected and admired literary characters in history! It focuses on relevant issues, which is unfortunately an eternal struggle of racism and perpetual myopia! The fact that we see these events through Jem's eyes makes us, the reader, the child, with an immature and selfish outlook on life. But as Jem changes through the book, we do too, and that is how Lee manages to hit the message home. She enlightens us, by making us climb into Jem's skin and have a walk around in it…

I have to wholeheartedly agree with the newspaper magazine. 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is indeed one of the (if not the) books you should read before you die. In many ways, it's a Bible to how you should treat others, how to overcome prejudice and discrimination, and in many ways it is a book that will forever set the standards for you life and how you interact with others of different race, colour, religions, beliefs… This is a timeless tale, because it touches on issues that will realistically never fade away. But we can try. And that's the point of this book. Try to accept others, try to see the world from other people's viewpoints and maybe… just maybe we can make the world slightly better. The book has stirred a moral passion within me, and a book that can touch and make one feel strongly, deserves first place in the Top Ten of any book list. So "remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird… Mockingbirds don't do one thing but make music for us to enjoy… but sing their hearts out for us. That's why it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

Summary: A story that will make you rethink your life and morals. A great book!