From the Bookshelf of Retro Chapter Chicks …

To Kill a Mockingbird

Harper Lee

Start date: August 1, 2015

Finish date: August 31, 2015

Discussion: Past Book Discussions 2014-19

Discussion leader: Kris (My Novelesque Life)

Why we're reading this: Our Back to School Month book for August, Moderator Choice.
[close] Our Back to School Month book for August, Moderator Choice.

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Past Book Discussions 2014-19

Dec 2019: The World That We Knew by Alice Hoffman
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last updated Nov 30, 2020 08:05AM

December 2017 Buddy Read: Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
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What Members Thought

Apr 03, 2016 Brina rated it it was amazing

Shelves: classics, 500-great-books-women, southern, pulitzer-winner, rereads, all-time-favorites, race-relations

2024: Each time I read what PBS dubs the perfect American novel, my heart fills just a little more. There are few books where the beginning paragraphs hit a home run for me, and this is one of them. It has been a long month filled with family time and endless cooking so for the last ten days I opted for comfort reads and there is no family who provides comfort like the Finches, with the exception of Aunt Alexandra. “Lawyers were children once,” quotes Charles Lamb in the opening epithet. Prior t 2024: Each time I read what PBS dubs the perfect American novel, my heart fills just a little more. There are few books where the beginning paragraphs hit a home run for me, and this is one of them. It has been a long month filled with family time and endless cooking so for the last ten days I opted for comfort reads and there is no family who provides comfort like the Finches, with the exception of Aunt Alexandra. “Lawyers were children once,” quotes Charles Lamb in the opening epithet. Prior to this reading, I viewed Atticus Finch as an unapproachable, older father. Beloved by his children to the point of idolization, but with an impenetrable outer skin. As an adult looking back at the events which shaped the novel, Scout paints the picture of her father as one who makes everything right and makes her feel safe. Even though this novel had been marketed for adults, it is in its essence a coming of age novel, which shows Scout’s growth through elementary school while her family faces events that mean to alter the history of a town. Atticus would need to be a strong figure to guide his children through the plot, and he would need to wistfully remember his childhood in order to relate to them. This is the man who told us all to walk in another’s shoes and see things from their point of view. Until today, I never viewed Atticus as multi-faceted, just a great man. Today that view slightly changed, yet he remains one of my top personas of all time.

Pestering Boo Radley is like killing a mockingbird, Scout implores Atticus. He never did anyone harm. There is a reason why this novel won the Pulitzer as being ahead of its time. The beginning and ending paragraphs mirror each other and provide closure. Scout and Dill engage in childhood escapades while learning life lessons imparted on them by their neighbors. Jem believes that the story began the summer Dill came and he tried to make Boo Radley come out. Being four years Scout’s senior at the time, he already saw the events of the novel from an adult perspective. Scout and Dill did not. They started as innocent seven year olds who thought that they would get married one day and ended as empathetic individuals who wanted to change the world. Perhaps Atticus’ lessons had penetrated these children after all; Scout, at least, looked like a lawyer in the making. If the world changed in her lifetime, perhaps she would get that opportunity.

With a book as perfect as this one, it comes as little wonder to me that Harper Lee never published another in her lifetime. She became a recluse; perhaps she modeled Boo Radley after her own tendencies. Boo did not come out because he did not want to. I am of the camp who is 99.9% sure to never read Go Set a Watchman. To Kill a Mockingbird is practically perfect in every way and made to change the way a nation thought about groups of people. Harper Lee had as much courage in publishing it pre- Civil Rights Act as the characters in her novel did in living with there preconceived notions of how the world functions. Bravery, courage, and empathy remain the overarching motifs in this great American novel. I view it as the ultimate comfort read and in the words of my reading friend Tessa, five stars and a heart.

2019: 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. As women’s history month is upon us (2019), I have kept revising my monthly lineup to feature books by remarkable women across the spectrum. Yet, none of these nonfiction books pay homage to the writers of the books themselves. Even with memoirs, the prose focuses on the author’s achievements in her chosen field. Last week a goodreads friend and I paid tribute to women authors in a daily literary journal. In one of my friend’s posts, she pointed out that as recently as 1960, the author of the most endearing of American novels had to use a masculinized version of her name in fear of not being published. Nelle Harper Lee of Monroeville, Alabama published To Kill a Mockingbird under her middle name, so only those well read readers are aware of the author’s full name. It is in this regard, that I included Pulitzer and Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Nelle Harper Lee in my Women’s History month lineup. It is as auspicious of a time as any to reread one of America’s greatest novels.

When I was in ninth grade English class, I read Harper Lee’s novel for the first time. At age fourteen I was hardly a polished writer and struggled with many of the assignments. Yet, I do remember that the top essay in the class focused on the overarching theme of courage and how Harper Lee showed how each of the characters, major and minor, embodied this trait in the trying times associated with the novel. It was courageous of a southern woman to write a novel with this subject matter prior to the passage of the civil rights act. It is of little wonder to me looking back now that she chose to publish under a gender neutral name. Perhaps, she feared a lynch mob or being outcast in her home town. It was a trying time as the federal government asserted itself against states still grieving from the war between the states and holding out as the last bulwarks of white superiority. Harper Lee exhibited as much courage as the characters in her novel, and rightfully was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her work. As such, being courageous starts from the top and works its way down to each and every character of this timeless work.

In 1930s rural Maycomb, Alabama people were pretty much set in their way of life. Town folk had received an education and worked as lawyers, doctors, bankers, and businessmen. The country folk may or may not have received an education because they had to work the fields and many were illiterate. Even the majority of those educated white folk still saw themselves as superior to blacks, and few, if any, had the audacity to take a black’s word over a white’s even if it were the correct moral thing to do. Yet, the crux of Lee’s novel is a court case threatening to disrupt this way of life, having the town divide along both racial and moral lines, and having each character step into others’ shoes and view the world from another’s perspective. Maycomb at the time embodied many rural American cities, isolated from progress as town set in its ways with few people who were willing to see the world from another perspective. One man was, however, a lawyer named Atticus Finch who is among the most revered fictional characters ever created. Even though this court case should not have been his, his superiors selected Atticus to counsel a black defendant because they realized that he was the one man in Maycomb who had both the ability to empathize and the courage to do so. His neighbor Mrs Maudie Atkinson noted that Atticus was the same man in the court house as he was at home and had nothing to fear. A widower, he instilled these values to his children Jeremy Atticus (Jem) and Jean Louise (Scout) from a young age, passing a strong moral compass onto his children.

In addition to critiquing southern race relations, Lee’s novel has endeared itself to children with the legend of Boo Radley. From the time they were young, Jem, Scout, and their summer friend Dill had courage to go to the Radley house trying to get Boo to come out even though all the other kids said the house was spooked. Atticus told them to put a halt to these childish games and explained Boo Radley’s background to them. The town claimed that Boo Radley was a ghost, but perhaps the reason he did not leave the house is because he did not want to. As the children grew older, Atticus warned them that there would be darker times ahead and they would have to be courageous in the face of what people said to them behind their backs. From the time Scout began school in first grade, she inhibited Atticus’ ability to stand up for what was right. Her teacher Miss Robinson was new to Maycomb and did not understand people’s ways. Scout explained about the Cunninghams, the Ewells, as well as other families at a personal cost to herself. As Scout grew older and was able to step into other people’s’ shoes more, she grew to understand differences between folks; however, she and Jem realized that differences did not make the world distinctly black and white or right and wrong. During an era when children were looked upon as unintelligent, Scout and Jem were wise beyond their years and following in their father’s footsteps.

Harper Lee created strong archetypal characters and had each embody their own courage. Each’s courage allowed Atticus to teach his children a life lesson that would endure for the rest of their lives. The family’s neighbor Mrs. Henry Lafayette DuBose demonstrates courage as she battles a final illness. Third grade teacher Mrs. Gates exhibits courage as she teaches Scout’s class about the rise of Nazism in Germany and th encourages her students to think for themselves about the differences between prejudices at home and abroad. The African American characters all demonstrate strong courage as well. The Finch’s housekeeper Calpurnia is a bridge between the white and black communities of Maycomb and does not hesitate to teach Scout and Jem life lessons as they arise. The Reverend Sykes welcomes Jem and Scout into his congregation as though they were his own and invites them to sit in the colored balcony at time when segregation was still the law. He risked a lynching and knew that the Finch family could possibly be labeled as negro lovers, yet Reverend Sykes played a small role in proving that one’s skin color should not determine whether someone is right or wrong. Of course, as part of the overarching story line, Boo Radley can be viewed as the most courageous character of them all. It is through the courage of an author to create characters who will stand up for what is morally right at a large cost to themselves that she created an award winning novel that was ahead of its time for its era. It is little wonder that the courage of these fictional characters has made the novel as beloved as it is today.

I believe that the courage exhibited by all these characters has made the town of Maycomb, Alabama stand the test of time and remain the timeless classic that it is. Most people can relate to those who have the courage to stand up for what they think is right or to fight against those tougher than them. This character trait has endeared the Finch family to millions of readers and will continue to do so for generations to come. Whenever a person asks what book would you give as a gift or what is the perfect book, To Kill a Mockingbird is my first choice. I find that it is perfect for any time but most appropriate in spring as in addition to courage there is an underlying theme of hope. Harper Lee won the Pulitzer for this timeless classic, and it also won first place in the Great American Read as America’s best novel. Thus I can think of no better way to honor women’s history month than with a timeless book that has and will continue to capture the hearts and minds of all of its readers.

5+ stars/ all-time favorites shelf ...more

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Oct 23, 2014 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, paperback-own

I loved the movie and of course the book as well. My favorite is Scout, she is just one cool little kid. Scout and Jem's friend Dill is a hoot!

I really hated what happened to Tom in this book, but that is the way of nasty men and people in this world. I'm glad Mr. Ewell got what was coming to him.

I love Calpurnia and all of the ladies on the street. The stories of the kids and Boo Radley was great, but I liked in the movie better when they finally got to meet him. It seems like there was more ...more

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Oct 16, 2008 Book Concierge rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own, debut, favorite, movie, young-adult, 1001-books-you-must-read-before-you, classic, southern-lit, concierge, women-writers

Audio book narrated by Sissy Spacek
5***** and a ❤

Is this the quintessential American Novel? Will it stand the test of time as Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn has done? Time will tell.

I do know this, however. This is a singularly powerful novel that had a great impact on me when I first read it at age 13 (shortly after it was first published) and has never failed to move and inspire me as I’ve re-read it over the years (at least 20 times by now). It has touched generations of rea ...more

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Jan 23, 2024 debbicat *made of stardust* rated it it was amazing

Shelves: alabama

I finally surrendered and read this classic when my local book club chose it for January 2024. I didn't want to read it. I knew about the plot of course. I live in the South East, the"deep south" and what is known as South Alabama. I grew up in a racist small town full of segregation. This book is so disturbing on many levels. But, I am amazed that the author could write this story so well in the time period it was published.
Maybe a better review later...there are so many really good ones here ...more

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Jul 21, 2014 Kris (My Novelesque Life) rated it it was amazing

(2015) 5 Stars

August was a horrible month for reading as it was busy with work, family and trying to get some writing in. If you can believe it - I read and listened to only twelve books and many were shorter novels. Despite not having too much time to read I did finish To Kill a Mockingbird before September and enjoyed every moment of it.

As I listened to Sissy Spacek narration of Harper Lee's novel I found myself almost reading this as if it was my first time. When I first read this novel as (2015) 5 Stars

August was a horrible month for reading as it was busy with work, family and trying to get some writing in. If you can believe it - I read and listened to only twelve books and many were shorter novels. Despite not having too much time to read I did finish To Kill a Mockingbird before September and enjoyed every moment of it.

As I listened to Sissy Spacek narration of Harper Lee's novel I found myself almost reading this as if it was my first time. When I first read this novel as a preteen I understood the basic principle of the racial issues and of right and wrong and it frustrated me. I wanted good to prevail and have everyone have a group hug and ride off in the sunset. On my second reading, in my mid-twenties, I was more aware of the elements behind the issues and it angered me. I wanted blood from the bad, shame the bystanders, stand on my soapbox demanding idealism and justice. This time (turning 35 later this month) when I listened to the words written by the incomparable Lee I took in the pain, injustice and reality and I cried. I cried with Scout. I felt what she did but instead of applying myself into the novel I walked in the characters' s shoes. I am fortunate to have had this novel by my side as I grew into a more compassionate person. I still want to change...and rage against...the world but I want the peace that many of the heroes strived for.

Lee's editor was brilliant in zeroing in on Jean Louise's childhood and having her focus her novel around young Scout. Through this character Lee is able to give us the good and bad of Maycomb, circa the Great Depression. We see the innocence of morality, the awakening of consciencness and the ultimate compassion. This is not just a novel of a small town in Alabama that houses racists, bullies, small minds or lowbrow people that strikes it's readers for change. It is a novel that Lee wrote from her own experiences and childhood memeories but also a novel that asks you to look at the world from more than one point of view.

The fact that this novel is a banned book only makes me more proud to call this piece of literature one of my favourites of all time. Any book can allow me to be carried away to another place and time but it takes something special to take me to another place and time but give me a different perspective each time. I would recommend this novel to everyone - you may love it or hate it but you will feel something.

I apologize that this isn't quite a review as much as a reflection. I think for me this is one book that I can't be as objective as I wanted to be. This proves interesting as I will be reading Go Set a Watchman this month. Other than being excited to read more of Harper Lee's writing I am not sure how I feel going into the book.

k (My Novelesque Life)

http://mynovelesquelife.blogspot.ca/2...

(2004) 5 STARS

This novel takes place in the South in the 1960s. Told from a young girl's point-of-view we get the story of how a black man is accused of raping a white woman. Scout, the young girl, watches her father take this case and teach them that life is not fair but if you believe in something you do all you can. Scout and her older brother, Jem are teased by other children and looked down by the adults.

What a GREAT read - haunting, heartwarming, outrageous, heroic, etc. This is more than a coming to age story but a story of life lessons and what is right. ...more

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Jun 20, 2015 Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

Second time around reading the book, a wonderful a story.
My favorite things about the book are the colorful characters and Scout's POV about growing up in the rural south. I loved reading about the classes in the rural south, childhood in 1930s Alabama, & race relations. A few favorite characters from the book due to their deep humanity are Jem, Scout, Atticus, Tom, & Miss. Maudie.
My constructive criticism:
I've read quite a few books from this time period in the American South and thought the ...more

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Oct 15, 2020 Theresa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: revisiting-faves, audio, classics-and-classic-redos, z-quarantine-2020, z-pop-sugar-2020-summer-challenge

I have read this before -- maybe 2 or 3 times -- but it has been a couple of decades easily. I of course love the movie with Gregory Peck, which I recently watched again. After Go Set a Watchman was published, I intended to re-read this, even bought a nice new print copy a couple years ago, but it took my friend Book Concierge to suggest I listen to the audio sublimely read by Sissy Spacek to get me actually to pick it up, albeit in audio book form.

It was wonderful. Definitely a book that stand ...more

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Jul 23, 2010 Tasha rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: classics

A solid 4 stars from me, nothing more, nothing less. The writing is good and seems to really evoke the times and the racism that, unfortunately, prevailed and the good that also seemed to poke it's head through all the ignorance as well. I enjoyed the characters and their personal journeys through those times and events. Overall, a good read but to me, not the 5 stars I thought I might give it. ...more

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