A review by literarypaiges
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 

“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.” 

 

I’d imagine that there’s not much I could say about this book that hasn’t been said before. It’s a book that’s near and dear to me. Atticus Finch has always reminded me of my grandpa, who was a lawyer and who was a big part of why I ended up going to law school myself. 

 

This book says a lot of things, about law and justice and race and childhood and what it is to grow up a girl. It’s also a product of its time, and reading it again for the first time as an adult I was struck by so much of the language. 

 

The first time I read this story I was fourteen years old and I thought Atticus was the hero of the story, and I thought Scout was the best of the children. Reading it now, I saw Jem grow up. I saw him learn about the world, and I saw him be bitterly disappointed in it. Atticus sees it too, and as an adult I see the hope Atticus holds that it will be Jem, and Jem’s children, who will do something differently, who will do things that Atticus himself can’t. 

 

If I had to sum up, in brief, what To Kill a Mockingbird is about, I’d say this: this is a story about courage, about holding your head high and telling the truth. It’s about knowing better and doing better.