Book – To Kill a Mockingbird

Book – To Kill a Mockingbird

Author: Harper Lee 

Score: 8/10

Year: 1960 (original date) 

Publisher: Arrow Books

ISBN 978-0-09-941978-5

Pages 309

Language: English

As the novel is set in Southern USA, 1930's, during the great depression period, the dialogues contain the n-word which was very common in those times. It's still a bit tough to read on this level ; It's also tough to read about some of the non-vegetarian foods, and also two others things that may be spoilers for those who haven't read, and which I'll mention in the end of this review.

Although the novel contains many adult themes, and isn't a children's book, the narration is from the viewpoint of a little girl named Jean Louise, or Scout, between the ages of 6 and about 9 or 10 at the end of it. Her thoughts, and only what she can see and experience, or overhears from others, all filtered through her. She describes her life conditions and relationships with her neighbours and the city at large, but concentrates on her brother Jem and father Atticus. 

I really like Jem's perspective and musings, and her overall attitudes, showcasing a developing intellectual and emotional understanding of the world around her, and feminist social comments on her answers to expectations of what she should learn to become. 

I like even more the personality traits and parenting that Atticus embodies. He's a man of integrity and as a lawyer, instills his wisdom and many philosophical viewpoints to his children, and never speaks down to them. He must be my favourite character in the entire book! 

The crux of this novel is to never rely on appearances and group judgments, but to make one's own mind on people and situations, and to really look and understand.

The title To kill a mockingbird is explained during this well constructed novel, and despite its few religious overtones, I enjoyed reading it, with the exceptions of 3 topics which I'll let you read by highlighting the white text (thus accepting that you may be slightly spoiled).

The court case involves a rape accusation ;
There are discussions of non vegetarian meals, and a character's savage ways of eating, at my own sensitivities as a vegan make it tough to read.