How would you rate a book that has a very simple story, no twists and turns and hero of the book is a lawyer by profession who teaches his kids the value of tolerance and cool-headedness rather than fighting back when provoked? Boring? Commonplace? Well, then I suggest that you read 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. Having read Mario Puzo, Khaled Hosseini, Arthur Conan Doyle, Jeffrey Archer, Sidney Sheldon and the likes my entire life, I had never thought that a simple story could be so powerfully written that it will keep you engrossed from the first page to the last. The story is based on a true incident which took place when the author was a kid living in Alabama. The best thing about this book is that the author hasn’t written it from an adult’s perspective – which would probably have made a book on moral instruction - but from the perspective of a child. It portrays the feelings that the young girl, Scout, felt when all the events taking place in the book were unfolding before her.
The events take place in the early 1900’s when racism was prevalent in America. Scout is a six-year-old girl who lives with her father, Atticus Finch and her brother Jem. The initial part of the story tells us about the neighbors surrounding the Finches, especially the Radleys. The rumors about Boo Radley - the boy whom none of the good citizens of Maycomb County have seen - and the intriguing behavior of his parents, both fascinate and terrify Scout and Jem (though Jem does not readily show his fear). The arrival of Dill, a nephew of one of their neighbors’ and their growing friendship with him, not only creates a lot of curiosity among the two kids (regarding Dill’s past and his father), but also brings forth a hitherto unknown sense of adventure inside the two kids. Together, the three of them hatch various plans to bring Boo Radley out in the open. Their misadventures and the eventual circumstances which finally bring Boo Radley out of his house are indeed heartening to read.
Meanwhile, another event takes place which grabs the attention of all the Maycomb County (except our little adventurers). An African-American, Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white girl. The County Attorney appoints Atticus Finch as the defense attorney for Tom. Atticus’ decision to take up the defense causes a great uproar. From here on the story revolves around how Atticus has to deal with criticism and ridicule not only from his community, but also from his relatives. As always, there are a few people supporting Atticus, but they are reluctant to show public support to Atticus. Needless to say, even the two kids are dragged into this mire as they are teased and taunted by the townspeople and their friends. This is where Lee is different compared to the authors. By common experience, most authors would have introduced a tinge of drama, people physically manhandling the kids, which would provoke Atticus to make a great speech in the town center with the townspeople watching all around him etc.(yes, these thing also happen in books, and not only in movies!). But, she has stuck to facts and portrayed how such a situation can be handled without losing one’s sense of pride and dignity. The situation becomes grimmer for Scout with the arrival of her aunt who is determined the turn Scout – who is a tomboy – into an elegant lady. Scout’s plight on being invited to numerous afternoon tea parties is quite funny to read.
Another powerful message that emerges from the book as it moves on is how the hatred prevalent amongst the society can effectively destroy innocence. The events that unfold during Tom’s trial (which they watch secretly), make a profound impact on Jem. His transformation from a carefree, and headstrong boy to a mature and thinking teen is beautifully portrayed and without any drama. Also, the exemplary behavior of Atticus goes a long way in influencing Jem. Indeed, the way in which Atticus treats the whole situation at hand should serve as a reminder to the society today, which at times takes the right decisions in the wrong manner thus having a wrong impact on the younger generation.
The characters are well sketched out. Atticus Finch as the morally upright lawyer, determined to imbibe in his children a sense of tolerance, and the sense to treat all human beings equally, is brilliantly written. The way he handles his kids, when Jem is rude to an elderly woman who calls Atticus ‘nigger-lover’ or when Scout asks him the meaning of ‘rape’ is brilliantly portrayed. I believe that he is one of the finest heroes crafted both in written literature and visual entertainment including our childhood heroes like Superman, Batman etc. Jem Finch as firstly the friendly and loving elder brother, then the secretive and slightly embarrassed elder brother to the protective and mature elder brother tends to remind us of ourselves during the same stages of life. Scout, with her inquisitiveness, stubbornness, and quarrelsome nature in endearing. The character of Dill, though he appears inconsequential at first, gains prominence later on. All the other minor characters are well sketched out with different quirks and human frailties.
Briefly put, the book is funny, touching and can leave a deep impact on the reader’s psyche without appearing to be preachy. I would definitely recommend it to all book lovers.
The events take place in the early 1900’s when racism was prevalent in America. Scout is a six-year-old girl who lives with her father, Atticus Finch and her brother Jem. The initial part of the story tells us about the neighbors surrounding the Finches, especially the Radleys. The rumors about Boo Radley - the boy whom none of the good citizens of Maycomb County have seen - and the intriguing behavior of his parents, both fascinate and terrify Scout and Jem (though Jem does not readily show his fear). The arrival of Dill, a nephew of one of their neighbors’ and their growing friendship with him, not only creates a lot of curiosity among the two kids (regarding Dill’s past and his father), but also brings forth a hitherto unknown sense of adventure inside the two kids. Together, the three of them hatch various plans to bring Boo Radley out in the open. Their misadventures and the eventual circumstances which finally bring Boo Radley out of his house are indeed heartening to read.
Meanwhile, another event takes place which grabs the attention of all the Maycomb County (except our little adventurers). An African-American, Tom Robinson is accused of raping a white girl. The County Attorney appoints Atticus Finch as the defense attorney for Tom. Atticus’ decision to take up the defense causes a great uproar. From here on the story revolves around how Atticus has to deal with criticism and ridicule not only from his community, but also from his relatives. As always, there are a few people supporting Atticus, but they are reluctant to show public support to Atticus. Needless to say, even the two kids are dragged into this mire as they are teased and taunted by the townspeople and their friends. This is where Lee is different compared to the authors. By common experience, most authors would have introduced a tinge of drama, people physically manhandling the kids, which would provoke Atticus to make a great speech in the town center with the townspeople watching all around him etc.(yes, these thing also happen in books, and not only in movies!). But, she has stuck to facts and portrayed how such a situation can be handled without losing one’s sense of pride and dignity. The situation becomes grimmer for Scout with the arrival of her aunt who is determined the turn Scout – who is a tomboy – into an elegant lady. Scout’s plight on being invited to numerous afternoon tea parties is quite funny to read.
Another powerful message that emerges from the book as it moves on is how the hatred prevalent amongst the society can effectively destroy innocence. The events that unfold during Tom’s trial (which they watch secretly), make a profound impact on Jem. His transformation from a carefree, and headstrong boy to a mature and thinking teen is beautifully portrayed and without any drama. Also, the exemplary behavior of Atticus goes a long way in influencing Jem. Indeed, the way in which Atticus treats the whole situation at hand should serve as a reminder to the society today, which at times takes the right decisions in the wrong manner thus having a wrong impact on the younger generation.
The characters are well sketched out. Atticus Finch as the morally upright lawyer, determined to imbibe in his children a sense of tolerance, and the sense to treat all human beings equally, is brilliantly written. The way he handles his kids, when Jem is rude to an elderly woman who calls Atticus ‘nigger-lover’ or when Scout asks him the meaning of ‘rape’ is brilliantly portrayed. I believe that he is one of the finest heroes crafted both in written literature and visual entertainment including our childhood heroes like Superman, Batman etc. Jem Finch as firstly the friendly and loving elder brother, then the secretive and slightly embarrassed elder brother to the protective and mature elder brother tends to remind us of ourselves during the same stages of life. Scout, with her inquisitiveness, stubbornness, and quarrelsome nature in endearing. The character of Dill, though he appears inconsequential at first, gains prominence later on. All the other minor characters are well sketched out with different quirks and human frailties.
Briefly put, the book is funny, touching and can leave a deep impact on the reader’s psyche without appearing to be preachy. I would definitely recommend it to all book lovers.
2 comments:
Nicely written mate...
I have heard about this book...
lets see when I'll get my hands on it though
A lovely review for a beautiful book. Have read the book and loved it. :)
Was good to read this review.
Keep it up.
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