The Book Report Episode #2

Episode #1

According to Google, this is a list of the best books of all time from searching web pages on the internet… But we will see!

The first book I have chosen from this list is: To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee.

To be honest. I didn’t choose this book. I thought I was reading One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. And although I didn’t notice this in the beginning. After a while, I did start to wonder. But As I was reading it with my Kindle, I couldn’t be bothered; to go back and check. It wasn’t until I read the title line in the book that I realised that I wouldn’t be reading about an insane asylum. But I had read a few chapters already. I wasn’t stopping now. So, let’s continue.

The Book

To Kill a Mockingbird was written in 1960 about a small town called Maycomb in Alabama. Fictional town. Around 1936. But set over a few years beforehand. The book follows the family of the Finchs and is seen through the eyes of a little girl called Jean Louise, also known as Scout. Jeremy, “Jem,” is her elder brother. Atticus is her father, and local lawyer and their housekeeper Calpurnia. Also, the yearly visitor friend Dill.

The story is more autobiographical than fiction. From the events from Harper’s childhood. When she lived in Monroeville, Alabama.

The book follows the Finch family dealing with life, going to and starting school, visiting neighbours, and interacting with the other children in the town. Jem has to deal with puberty.

They witness how the town reacts to the accusations given to a black man because the truth is too hard or too embarrassing to deal with. And the consequences afterwards.

If you have read the book, you will know the title’s meaning.

The Film

Because of the success of the book. A film was made starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. Would you like to see it? Here you go:

Did I Like It?

I was a little confused at the beginning. What was so special about the book? And then I just got it. It clicked. It’s the innocents of the story. The child’s innocent perspective of: why are adults basically stupid, nasty evil dicks? Of how scary a neighbour you never see or speak to that lives in a house that every kid knows you don’t go near. What was the fascination that wouldn’t keep them away?

The issues a child sees and has to watch their parents working out how to deal with life problems. Understanding; the boundaries that their parents and the world hold against them. How: the innocent perspective of a child would be a lot easier to follow if adult logic didn’t get in the way.

Yes, when I understood the book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. A simple drama that has some racial tension. But with a child’s understanding. I believe this is why it was a success.

That’s why I understood why it won a Pulitzer prize. Best book of all time? I will have to read a lot more to make that decision. But until then. I have scored the book as I would read more stories if they were available.

I am glad I read this book. Generally, I get stuck in a few genres. But this little story has helped to expand my range. I would ask though: why did they call him Atticus instead of Dad or Father?

In brief, Google says: From multiple sources: Atticus wanted to earn respect through equal grounding instead of domination through the title of the father figure. Although, it does sound nice in theory. It does seem to work in the story.

Read This?

So, yes, I would recommend this book. Go, read this. Men and women of action books. Read this. Men and Women of Romance. Read this. Do you want to try something different? Read this. Do you like mild family drama? If the answer is yes. Then read this. What are you waiting for?

Would you like to purchase your very own copy? Try these shops: Amazon UK USA. Waterstones. AbeBooks UK USA. eBay UK USA. Or maybe your local bookshop. Or maybe try your local library.

A Discovered Manuscript

I have recently found out that there is a sequel book that came out many, many years later. Well, it turns out the sequel book was actually the first book written. Although it never happened, the book; was going to be part of a trilogy. This was released in 2015. To that end, I will be keeping an eye out for it.