Name: Matthew Jackson's review of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Item: To Kill a Mockingbird
Rating: 4
Author: Matthew Jackson

Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird

Voted America's Best-Loved Novel in PBS's The Great American Read Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep South—and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred One of the most cherished stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular motion picture, and was voted one of the best novels of the twentieth century by librarians across the country. A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father—a crusading local lawyer—risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

Amelia Macy

With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable.

Miss Maudie laughed. “Wasn't talking about your father," she said. What I meant was, if Atticus Finch drank until he was drunk he wouldn't be as hard as some men are at their best. There are just some kind of men who-who're so busy worrying about the next world they've never learned to live in this one, and you can look down the street and see the results.”

"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel—a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice—but the weight of history will only tolerate so much. One of the best-loved classics of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has earned many dis-tinctions since its original publication in 1960. It has won the Pulitzer Prize, been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, and been made into an enormously popular movie. It was also named the best novel of the twentieth century by librarians across the country (Library Journal).

Atli 💗🧚🏽‍♀️

Somehow, I could think of nothing but Mr. Bob Ewell saying he’d get Atticus if it took him the rest of his life. Mr. Ewell almost got him, and it was the last thing he did.

Mr. Tate found his neck and rubbed it. “Bob Ewell’s lyin’ on the ground under that tree down yonder with a kitchen knife stuck up under his ribs. He’s dead, Mr. Finch."

okay! that's it! cut the cameras. i'm tired.

“What’s the matter?” Aunt Alexandra asked, alarmed by the look on my father’s face.

I shut my eyes. Judge Taylor was polling the jury: “Guilty... guilty... guilty... guilty...” 

you had me until the kicking and hollering...

it wasn’t rape if she let you, but she had to be eighteen — in Alabama, that is — and Mayella was nineteen. Apparently you had to kick and holler, you had to be overpowered and stomped on, preferably knocked stone cold. If you were under eighteen, you didn’t have to go through all this.

“Atticus says cheatin’ a colored man is ten times worse than cheatin’ a white man,” I muttered. “Says it’s the worst thing you can do.”

Holy crap, I actually predicted that her father was that kind of man when Atticus was asking Mayella questions!

The witness swallowed hard. “She reached up an’ kissed me ‘side of th’ face. She says she never kissed a grown man before an’ she might as well kiss a nigger. She says what her papa do to her don’t count..."

“Did you call a doctor, Sheriff? Did anybody call a doctor?” asked Atticus.

it's 2024, and a lot of mixed race people still feel this way. damn

“They don’t belong anywhere. Colored folks won’t have ‘em because they’re half white; white folks won’t have ‘em cause they’re colored, so they’re just in-betweens, don’t belong anywhere.

one must lie under certain circumstances and at all times when one can’t do anything about them.

okaayyy aunty lexy is a city gorlie !!! i see you 😏

She was not fat, but solid, and she chose protective garments that drew up her bosom to giddy heights, pinched in her waist, flared out her rear, and managed to suggest that Aunt Alexandra’s was once an hour-glass figure. From any angle, it was formidable.

“Colored folks don’t show their ages so fast,” she said.

“I just have it on Christmas, it’s easier to remember that way — I don’t have a real birthday.”

that's mad fam... oh my god. just anywhere in the wild ???

It was customary for field Negroes with tiny children to deposit them in whatever shade there was while their parents worked — usually the babies sat in the shade between two rows of cotton. Those unable to sit were strapped papoose-style on their mothers’ backs, or resided in extra cotton bags.

well... yes, scout. they're her people tf??

“They’s my comp’ny,” said Calpurnia. Again I thought her voice strange: she was talking like the rest of them.

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 you see it through no matter what.

“You aren’t really a nigger-lover, then, are you?”

“I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I’m hard put,

sometimes — baby, it’s never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name."

The old house was the same, droopy and sick, but as we stared down the street, we thought we saw an inside shutter move. Flick. A tiny, almost invisible movement, and the house was still.

Our first raid came to pass only because Dill bet Jem The Gray Ghost against two Tom Swifts that Jem wouldn’t get any farther than the Radley gate. In all his life, Jem had never declined a dare.

The sheriff hadn’t the heart to put him in jail alongside Negroes, so Boo was locked in the courthouse basement.

The judge decided to send the boys to the state industrial school, where boys were sometimes sent for no other reason than to provide them with food and decent shelter: it was no prison and it was no disgrace.

“’s not any funnier’n yours. Aunt Rachel says your name’s Jeremy Atticus Finch.”

Jem scowled. “I’m big enough to fit mine,” he said. “Your name’s longer’n you are. Bet it’s a foot longer.”

Matthew Jackson

Rocío de la Hera

Qué cosa más hermosa. Te deja el corazón calentito♥️ Atticus, Scout, Jem, Maudie, Boo, no quiero irme de acá✨

Katerina

Extremely thought-provoking. You learn what gives a person all the qualities to be called a mockingbird. And you learn why it's a sin to do them wrong. This book teaches you about life, people and it really is a revolution for its time. It's one of those books that just must be read.

Zisan Bas

I also played in the streets with the kids, got curious about Boo Radley and questioned the concept of justice.

Sajiya Chaudhary

I first read this book in college's first year and wasn't matured enough to understand this book as deeply then. Nonetheless, I had loved it then, and I love it more now. The experience of seeing the Maycomb world from Scout's perspective is worth it. Once finished, it felt like a lifetime, and I wanted to go live with the Finches. Atticus will always be my literary hero. 
I realized that evil is everywhere in the world, not just around me. And people get discriminated against daily based on their color, social status, education, and language. And how some folks can change their surroundings by being patient, humble, and just kind.

Amazing storytelling with an amazing plot and great morals.
The lessons taught in this book is amazing, tackling topics such as racism, rape, and fairness.
Would definitely want to read it again in the future.

Ghofran Mustafa 

One of the best books I've read this year!

Gelaine Trinidad

Megan Parrott

There's nothing I could say that hasn't been said a million times before. There's just something about this book – I could read it again and again.

Really good read, I really liked the narrative aspect and albeit took my some time to get used to it, was really engaging once I did.

Akash Dhuri

idk why i didn't read this for the longest time but honestly one of the best books ive ever read. 10/10 plot, storytelling and character development. IM GONNA REREAD THIS SM. 

sneha

Arihant Verma

The writing style , the narration was very captive. Well knitted. Truly a worth the classic's name. Definitely one of the few books that have established the genre 'Modern Classics'

One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has earned many distinctions since its oritinal publication in  1960. It won the Pulitzer Prize, has been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than thirty million copies worldwide, and been made into an enormously popular movie. Most recently, librarians across the country gave the book the highest of honors by voting it the best novel of the twentieth century.
(back cover)

i can't believe all i've ever heard about this book is that it is racist when it's actually the literal opposite.......

baku

Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a literary gem that captures the essence of a sleepy Southern town, offering a profound exploration of human behavior and the moral crisis that shook its foundations. Published in 1960, this novel swiftly became an instant bestseller, receiving critical acclaim and earning the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. Its subsequent adaptation into an Academy Award-winning film solidified its place as a classic in both literature and cinema.

The narrative of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is an eloquent portrayal of the dichotomies within human nature - from innocence to experience, kindness to cruelty, love to hatred, humor to pathos. Set against the backdrop of a small Alabama town, the story encapsulates the complexities and struggles of the human condition.

Harper Lee's storytelling is at once compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving. Through the perspective of Scout Finch, the young protagonist, the novel offers a poignant examination of societal injustices, racial prejudice, and the moral conflicts that challenge the town's moral fabric.

The timeless appeal of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is evidenced by its widespread success, with over 18 million copies in print and translations into forty languages. Lee's ability to capture the essence of human relationships and societal dynamics makes this regional story universally relevant.

Originally regarded by its author as a simple love story, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' has evolved into a masterpiece of American literature. Its enduring relevance and impact lie in its ability to engage readers across generations, inviting contemplation on timeless themes such as justice, empathy, and the struggle between right and wrong.

The characters, particularly the iconic Atticus Finch, have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Atticus's unwavering moral compass and his dedication to justice remain a beacon of integrity and moral righteousness.

While the book tackles weighty themes, it does so with grace and subtlety, inviting readers to reflect on the nuances of life and the intricacies of human behavior.

'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a timeless classic that stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. Its narrative remains as relevant today as it was upon its initial publication, continuing to prompt reflection and conversations on the complexities of human morality.

I rate 'To Kill a Mockingbird' with five stars for its masterful storytelling, poignant exploration of human nature, and its unwavering impact on literature and society. Harper Lee's work remains an essential read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience.

ryan carlos tsumire de Guzman

Harper Lee's 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a literary gem that captures the essence of a sleepy Southern town, offering a profound exploration of human behavior and the moral crisis that shook its foundations. Published in 1960, this novel swiftly became an instant bestseller, receiving critical acclaim and earning the Pulitzer Prize in 1961. Its subsequent adaptation into an Academy Award-winning film solidified its place as a classic in both literature and cinema.

The narrative of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is an eloquent portrayal of the dichotomies within human nature - from innocence to experience, kindness to cruelty, love to hatred, humor to pathos. Set against the backdrop of a small Alabama town, the story encapsulates the complexities and struggles of the human condition.

Harper Lee's storytelling is at once compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving. Through the perspective of Scout Finch, the young protagonist, the novel offers a poignant examination of societal injustices, racial prejudice, and the moral conflicts that challenge the town's moral fabric.

The timeless appeal of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is evidenced by its widespread success, with over 18 million copies in print and translations into forty languages. Lee's ability to capture the essence of human relationships and societal dynamics makes this regional story universally relevant.

Originally regarded by its author as a simple love story, 'To Kill a Mockingbird' has evolved into a masterpiece of American literature. Its enduring relevance and impact lie in its ability to engage readers across generations, inviting contemplation on timeless themes such as justice, empathy, and the struggle between right and wrong.

The characters, particularly the iconic Atticus Finch, have left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. Atticus's unwavering moral compass and his dedication to justice remain a beacon of integrity and moral righteousness.

While the book tackles weighty themes, it does so with grace and subtlety, inviting readers to reflect on the nuances of life and the intricacies of human behavior.

'To Kill a Mockingbird' is a timeless classic that stands as a testament to the enduring power of storytelling. Its narrative remains as relevant today as it was upon its initial publication, continuing to prompt reflection and conversations on the complexities of human morality.

I rate 'To Kill a Mockingbird' with five stars for its masterful storytelling, poignant exploration of human nature, and its unwavering impact on literature and society. Harper Lee's work remains an essential read for those seeking a deeper understanding of the human experience.

Sarah Sammis

I loved TKAM. I knew I would like it from the first page, and was interested the whole time. The book explores prejudice and the innocence of children. I could think for hours about everything that happened, and would no doubt gain something new every time I reread it.  

Izzy 

Jordie

Don’t get me wrong the book is good, but every time I pick it up I get vivid memories of freshman year of high school in English class, were my teacher would looking at me almost every time the word negro was read (because she made us do popcorn reading) to make sure it was okay to say.

ella

** spoiler alert **
           i remember reading this book when i was in high school, the translated one. i digested the narrative bit by bit and learned about the value that this book brought easily. it had given me a new perspective about the social injustice and racism in USA through a child's eye. it delivered the value smoothly though not that deep. and the ending was just somehow hanging and it kinda bothered me at that time. but eventhough the conflict hadn't solved, the purpose of delivering the topic was done. and i guess that was what this book all about.

shadee

** spoiler alert **
           throughout reading this whole book i was waiting for something big to happen but nothing really did.
but i would get why most people describe this as a warm book and it was, but i didnt really feel anything to the fact that i would give this a 5 star

ghezaal noori

** spoiler alert **
           only read this book for a class and it truly was interesting, but the characters annoyed me as well as the entirety of the concept and white saviors taking the role as “hero”. I felt that the book was well fit for the time but should really stop becoming a book that high schools choose for their students.

Annika Arguemore

Very reminiscent of one's childhood. It even reminded me so much of my childhood, I swear. The entity of innocence was evident and was quite well-shown. Loved it! Although it took me a while to finish this and although there were so many characters that I couldn't keep track, it was definitely a good read. A good read when you put your mind to it to be exact.

Kath

Read this one night in the middle of a storm, without water and electricity because of a massive nationwide blackout when I was 16 (2012). It made me want to read more books that are not in the YA range and for that, this has a soft place in my heart. I don't know if the rating will still hold if I re-read it at present.

Matthew Jackson &
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee