Rating: Summary: As Moving Today as Ever. Review: Regardless of how American race relations fluctuate, this book still carries a fresh and sobering message about the price of bigotry. Lee's view of the world through the eyes of children is especially effective in making the point, and her classic should be read and discussed in schools throughout the United States.John Frye
Rating: Summary: Incredible! Review: An English teacher of mine once said: "I've never read To Kill a Mockingbird. I've only heard it. I open the book, and Scout speaks to me." That pretty much sums it up. It's an accurate portrayel of that time, that place, from the lack of snow to the nutty happiness-hating Christians, and yes, to the racism exhibited by many townsfolk. I don't understand the people who are offended by this - not only is it appropriate for those people, but the negative portrayel of southern whites as racist baboons and idiots (case in point: the Ewells) is far more "degrading" than a few uses of the n-word by characters for whom it's appropriate.
Rating: Summary: Not quite the masterpiece I expected it to be... Review: Recommendations and praises about this book from other people were what made me pick up 'To Kill A Mockingbird' and start reading it. Although it was quite difficult to get into the story on the first chapter the rest of the plot proceeded smoothly enough. The characters were likeable, and the storyline plausible. Harper Lee had put much care in the narrative to make it sound as if an actual child was speaking from her own thoughts and experience, adopting the simple, honest style of writing throughout the novel. All in all, this book is definitely not bad. However, beware if you're seeking something more than a 'nice' piece of writing silently - and 'nicely' - reprimanding us about racial indiscrimination. This novel might be welcomed by those who come from the southern states and badly want a quiet, pleasant walk down the Memory Lane seeking their childhood again. But it is not, mind you, for others who expect it to be something more thrilling or 'unputdownable' li! ke I did. The book simply lacks a deep emotional or intellectual impact upon the mind. It is what it is - a nice, tastefully bland novel.
Rating: Summary: Everyone should read this book Review: This is quite possibly the best book I have ever read. The story follows the coming-of-age of Scout and Jim, a sister and brother who are raised by their father in the south. Their father, a lawyer, is given the task of defending a black man accused of raping a white girl. Through this trial and their own adventures, the children learn about prejudice and misunderstanding. Because the story is told from Scout's point-of-view, the reader can see the prejudice from a child's perspective. This very effective tactic makes the prejudices seem more apparent and less logical. Furthermore, Lee makes her point without being preachy. The numerous lessons in this book should make it required reading for everyone.
Rating: Summary: My all-time favorite book! Review: I was first assigned this book in high school and I really enjoyed it. I recently read it again, and listened to the unabridged book on tape. I laughed, cried, and thouroughly enjoyed every minute of this book. The way Ms. Lee tells the story, from Scout's point of view is amazing. Even though the story is told in retrospect Ms. Lee maintains Scout's innocence in the way she looks at things and understands them. This book should be required reading for every student, and you should read it at least twice to really gain a full appreciation of all it contains. Enjoy!
Rating: Summary: This book is very prejudice. Review: I really do not recommend this book to anybody because the whole book is based on prejudice and it centers around a principle that is not correct or appropriate. This is a required book for ninth graders and I think that it is ridiculous that they should be required to read this book because they are learning about Black prejudice and it is as though no one wants to acknowledge White prejudice at all. There are words that are offensive to Black people yet nothing negative is even thought about White people.
Rating: Summary: The book sounds stupid. It sounds boring. It is........ Review: ANYTHING BUT!!!! When my English teacher assigned this book, I thought, "My gosh, could anyone pick a dumber-sounding book?". I was wrong. Dead wrong. The depth that Harper Lee gave her characters was unfathomable. They seemed so real. As if you could go down south, and visit everyone in Maycomb County. I enjoyed the book so much, that I bought my own copy, and read it twice over. The only people that were in my class that didn't like it were the shallow ones, who didn't take the time to realize that there was more to life than the next fad TV show. There were 20 people in that class. All skeptical. 18 loved it. The other two...... All the characters are forever etched in my mind, from cantankerous old Mrs. Dubose, to shy and reserved Boo Radely. Anyone with an appreciation for literature will surely adore this book.
Rating: Summary: A Literary Gold! Review: This book is one thing. A Masterpiece. You can give it all the wonderful names but those names add up to one thing. A Masterpiece. Many people ask me why I think it is such a Masterpiece. They laugh at the books title. my response to them is always don't judge a book by it's cover, (or in this case it's title). This is a powerful book that uses such subjects that make our hearts stop beating. In this book, I feel like I'm part of the story. How many books can you say this about? All together, It is truly one of the most prized pieces of literture in American history!
Rating: Summary: Great Southern Book Review: I am not sure when the first time I read the book was or saw the movie, but I do know that I fell in love with both. Being from Alabama and having relatives that are from and still live in Monroeville I can relate to it very well. It is a quite, sleepy little southern town just like it was when the book was written. The book made me realize how people were then and how we really hadn't changed any. If you haven't read the book or seen the movie than you are missing out. It truly is a classic that will be handed down from generation to generation.
Rating: Summary: Thought it was set in my hometown Review: When I first read this book in 1962, I was the same age as the narrator, Scout. I was from Alabama, too, and I recognized so many of the characters (Miss Maudie, Miss Rachel, Calpurnia, Aunt Alexandra, and even Boo Radley) that I was sure that Maycomb was actually my hometown. I asked my mama, but she said, "No." However, the "real" Maycomb was just a few miles away. I have read To Kill a Mockingbird hundreds of times, so many that I can quote huge chunks. It is gratifying that so many people agree with me that it's a great book, but even if no one else agreed, I would still think it was the best book in the world!
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