None
(not provided)
English language
Published Aug. 22, 2006 by Caedmon.
To Kill A Mockingbird Cassette
by Harper Lee
One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than 40 languages, sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular motion picture, and voted one of the best novels of the 20th century by librarians across the United States. 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.
Lawyer Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson -- a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Writing through the young eyes of Finch's children Scout and Jem, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality …
One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than 40 languages, sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular motion picture, and voted one of the best novels of the 20th century by librarians across the United States. 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.
Lawyer Atticus Finch defends Tom Robinson -- a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Writing through the young eyes of Finch's children Scout and Jem, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in small-town Alabama during the mid-1930s Depression years. 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.
Also contained in:
A prortrait of the US-south
5 stars
This is a book dripping in US-southern aspects. But also paints a much more complex picture of this region. One that is not of a monolith of attitudes. It still has the bad behaviors the region is known for. But shows them to be bad behaviors that one can be guilty of anywhere. It also shows those that dont engage in said behaviors. And even for those that do, to show them as more than just ill tempered people. But complete humans, rather than 2D cartoons that are easy to hate and insult.
I grew up in the US-south, and it was eerie to encounter some of this. Most of which I managed to get away from. But still odd to revisit. And to see how long it has existed.
This was written in the 50s, and works to show an accurate picture of how people spoke in …
This is a book dripping in US-southern aspects. But also paints a much more complex picture of this region. One that is not of a monolith of attitudes. It still has the bad behaviors the region is known for. But shows them to be bad behaviors that one can be guilty of anywhere. It also shows those that dont engage in said behaviors. And even for those that do, to show them as more than just ill tempered people. But complete humans, rather than 2D cartoons that are easy to hate and insult.
I grew up in the US-south, and it was eerie to encounter some of this. Most of which I managed to get away from. But still odd to revisit. And to see how long it has existed.
This was written in the 50s, and works to show an accurate picture of how people spoke in the 30s in the US-south. So there are frequent uses of the n-slur, by even the main characters. Other characters use harsh or hateful language and actions that are anti-black. However, the black community within the setting are treated sympathetically. The main plot of the book is in support of a black man. It is worth knowing, and preparing for racist moments, which seem to be ways of exposing racism and its effects.
CW: anti-black racism, frequent n-slur, harm to children, abuse
A prortrait of the US-south
5 stars
This is a book dripping in US-southern aspects. But also paints a much more complex picture of this region. One that is not of a monolith of attitudes. It still has the bad behaviors the region is known for. But shows them to be bad behaviors that one can be guilty of anywhere. It also shows those that dont engage in said behaviors. And even for those that do, to show them as more than just ill tempered people. But complete humans, rather than 2D cartoons that are easy to hate and insult.
I grew up in the US-south, and it was eerie to encounter some of this. Most of which I managed to get away from. But still odd to revisit. And to see how long it has existed.
This was written in the 50s, and works to show an accurate picture of how people spoke in …
This is a book dripping in US-southern aspects. But also paints a much more complex picture of this region. One that is not of a monolith of attitudes. It still has the bad behaviors the region is known for. But shows them to be bad behaviors that one can be guilty of anywhere. It also shows those that dont engage in said behaviors. And even for those that do, to show them as more than just ill tempered people. But complete humans, rather than 2D cartoons that are easy to hate and insult.
I grew up in the US-south, and it was eerie to encounter some of this. Most of which I managed to get away from. But still odd to revisit. And to see how long it has existed.
This was written in the 50s, and works to show an accurate picture of how people spoke in the 30s in the US-south. So there are frequent uses of the n-slur, by even the main characters. Other characters use harsh or hateful language and actions that are anti-black. However, the black community within the setting are treated sympathetically. The main plot of the book is in support of a black man. It is worth knowing, and preparing for racist moments, which seem to be ways of exposing racism and its effects.
CW: anti-black racism, frequent n-slur, harm to children, abuse
anka.trini reviewed To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Review of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' on 'Goodreads'
5 stars
Don't mind me. I'm just bawling my eyes out at 6 am on a Friday because I spent the whole night reading.
(Review to come)
Don't mind me. I'm just bawling my eyes out at 6 am on a Friday because I spent the whole night reading.
(Review to come)
Un libro excelso
4 stars
Si hay algo que me asombra de Harper Lee, es que tras parir este libro, que desde luego está escrito de una forma tan tradicional que parece transgresora, no publicó ninguno más, hasta recientemente que ha escrito lo que podría ser la segunda parte, que aún no he leído. No es que yo valore los escritores que apenas escriben, sobre los que escriben mucho, pero sin duda, desde que se inventó el reciclaje de papel, me temo que muchos escritores actuales, crean sus nuevas historias sobre las cenizas aún calientes de las antiguas, ya no van con el francotirador sino con la metralleta. Esta historia, leída en este caso, en su idioma original, es todo un festival de acentos, maneras de ser y de hablar que harían feliz a Tom Wolfe. Todo esta narrado bajo el punto de vista de los hijos del Mr Finch, que se nos presenta, visto …
Si hay algo que me asombra de Harper Lee, es que tras parir este libro, que desde luego está escrito de una forma tan tradicional que parece transgresora, no publicó ninguno más, hasta recientemente que ha escrito lo que podría ser la segunda parte, que aún no he leído. No es que yo valore los escritores que apenas escriben, sobre los que escriben mucho, pero sin duda, desde que se inventó el reciclaje de papel, me temo que muchos escritores actuales, crean sus nuevas historias sobre las cenizas aún calientes de las antiguas, ya no van con el francotirador sino con la metralleta. Esta historia, leída en este caso, en su idioma original, es todo un festival de acentos, maneras de ser y de hablar que harían feliz a Tom Wolfe. Todo esta narrado bajo el punto de vista de los hijos del Mr Finch, que se nos presenta, visto por sus hijos como un hombre inteligente, valiente y justo, en torno a esta figura, veremos como el jardín salvaje y descuidado de esa américa que parece que vuelve porque nunca se fue lidia con los problemas del racismo y la pobreza. Resulta bastante atractivo que lo que siempre se destaca como tema principal en esta novela, esta siempre relativizado por los ojos de los narradores, por los que aparte del famoso juicio, aparecen otras aventuras y personajes, en una novela que para mí resulta más el relato de una época, que un alegato intencionado y machacón. Sólo me queda darle las gracias a Harper Lee por parir su gran obra de una vez y no distraernos con otras que sin duda serían menores. Recomendadísimo
Asier Iturralde Sarasola reviewed To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
XX. mende hasierako AEBetako hegoaldearen erretratua neskato (zuri) baten ikuspuntutik
5 stars
Liburuaren bizkarreko laburpena irakurrita epaitegiak eta abokatuak oinarritu dituen liburu bat espero nuen eta egia esan ez ninduen gehiegi erakartzen. Hala ere, irakurri ahala ezusteko oso atsegina hartu dut. Lege kontuek badute pisua liburuan, batez ere liburuaren erdi aldera, baina nagusiki XX. mende hasierako AEBetako hegoaldeko herrixka baten eta bertako biztanleen erretratua da, neskato zuri baten ikuspuntutik kontatua: arrazismoa, klasismoa, sexismoa, itxurakeria... Amaitu ondoren kritikak irakurtzen aritu naiz, eta egia da ikuspuntu zuri batetik idatzia dagoela, baina bere garairako oso aurreratua iruditzen zait, eta dirudienez eragin handia izan zuen AEBetako beltzen eskubide zibilen aldeko mugimenduan.
Victor Villas reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
A forward novel that we already moved past
3 stars
The book represents a point of view of a child during the 30's written by someone who was a child during the 30's, which brings valuable historical authenticity. It was published in the 60's and due to its immediate success it was a part of a shift in attitudes regarding the civil rights movements of the 70's. Reading the book with this context in mind is an interesting experience because to a contemporary mind, the 60's is in many ways more absurd than was the 30's to the author.
The novel own its own merit is greatly delivered, with enough character building and contextualization that by the time the main plot arrives my metropolitan millennial mind is decently acclimatized to a completely alien society and culture. The naive, progressive-household-raised, clean slate kid point of view gives the narrator plausible bewilderment when facing the pervasive racial injustice and hypocrisy the …
The book represents a point of view of a child during the 30's written by someone who was a child during the 30's, which brings valuable historical authenticity. It was published in the 60's and due to its immediate success it was a part of a shift in attitudes regarding the civil rights movements of the 70's. Reading the book with this context in mind is an interesting experience because to a contemporary mind, the 60's is in many ways more absurd than was the 30's to the author.
The novel own its own merit is greatly delivered, with enough character building and contextualization that by the time the main plot arrives my metropolitan millennial mind is decently acclimatized to a completely alien society and culture. The naive, progressive-household-raised, clean slate kid point of view gives the narrator plausible bewilderment when facing the pervasive racial injustice and hypocrisy the book aims to criticize.
But this book too is a product of its time and one can immediately recognize the white savior angle. The white gentleman class is displayed one cut above the white trash that are no better than also-poor-but-black folk, and raises itself a toast for being so intellectual. A pat on the back for being kind enough to employ honest colored folk and defending the sanctity of written law. The expectation is overwhelming gratefulness in return, even if the result is still injustice. The portrayal of "the good blacks" is subservient and forgiving, and the weapon of choice to build empathy is pity and the analogy with the sin of killing a creature that is dedicated to servitude and entertainment - the mockingbird.
Five stars as an expertly crafted novel with admirable goals and celebrated impact, one star as modern literature on racial injustice. I don't think the two aspects have equal weight but lacking better utilitarian formulation I'm averaging to 3 stars.
memo reviewed Il buio oltre la siepe by Harper Lee
Recensione de "Il buio oltre la siepe"
4 stars
Romanzo per giovani adultǝ scorrevole e di forte impatto, ma capisco perché molti americani non apprezzino: vederselo obbligato come libro sul tema razzismo nelle scuole non mi sembra proprio il massimo, visto che se lo si analizza con minuzia cade talvolta nella narrativa del salvatore bianco.
a classic for a reason
4 stars
Good book, especially for YA readers, but can appreciate as an adult too.
ruimaio reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
None
5 stars
Um livro tão lindo e tão bem escrito. O ritmo lento surpreendeu-me, mas não pela negativa. Sem dúvida um livro para recordar.
Jens reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Review of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' on 'Goodreads'
3 stars
Such a classic, one of America's best-loved novels, and I hadn't read it yet! Off I went, without knowing much about this book beforehand.
I soon found out why many people love it so much: A steadfast and relatable first-person narrator, a young girl, who observes the world around her, especially the racist environment in her Alabama hometown, her wise father, a lawyer too!, and the plethora of neighbors and relatives, some nice, some less so. This book's central themes are clear: Narrow-mindedness and racism, growing up, innocence and threats against it.
I enjoyed reading this book, but less than I had expected. Again I realized I'm not a fan of books narrated by children, even though Scout is quite wonderful. The narration didn't thrill me - one paragraph is about one thing, the next about something different just to jump back to the first topic. Characters that are central …
Such a classic, one of America's best-loved novels, and I hadn't read it yet! Off I went, without knowing much about this book beforehand.
I soon found out why many people love it so much: A steadfast and relatable first-person narrator, a young girl, who observes the world around her, especially the racist environment in her Alabama hometown, her wise father, a lawyer too!, and the plethora of neighbors and relatives, some nice, some less so. This book's central themes are clear: Narrow-mindedness and racism, growing up, innocence and threats against it.
I enjoyed reading this book, but less than I had expected. Again I realized I'm not a fan of books narrated by children, even though Scout is quite wonderful. The narration didn't thrill me - one paragraph is about one thing, the next about something different just to jump back to the first topic. Characters that are central in the first half of the novel don't show up at all until 150 pages later. It seemed to me that the actual plot of the novel only started after the 40% mark. All of these aspects lowered my pleasure while reading this book - so I can't give out the five stars that "To Kill a Mockingbird" deserves for its impact on American culture (or at least, education) and its overall positive and impactful message.
I was not too surprised to find some harsh criticism regarding the portrayal of relationship between Black and white characters in this novel - there aren't many fleshed-out Black characters, the most visible one is a household help, and then white people come along to save the day. Reading the novel with a 2022 perspective leaves a stale aftertaste, and the book probably would not be as widely known and successful if it was published today.
If you haven't read "To Kill a Mockingbird", by all means, go ahead and do it! If you do, please read [b:I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings|13214|I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (Maya Angelou's Autobiography, #1)|Maya Angelou|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1327957927l/13214.SY75.jpg|1413589] right afterwards. Personally, I was more captivated by it and its narrator, young Maya Angelou: Both books share many themes, and the direct comparison is striking.
Matthew Royal reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Review of 'To Kill a Mockingbird' on 'Goodreads'
4 stars
We never read this in highschool. I guess my homeschool curriculum focused on different stuff than most.
It's an enjoyable, easy read. Lee's opinions come through the voices of the child protagonists a bit more heavy-handed than I like. Despite agreeing with his message, I strongly dislike putting your opinions into the mouths of babes, as if they are the natural truths a pure and innocent child is born knowing.
We never read this in highschool. I guess my homeschool curriculum focused on different stuff than most.
It's an enjoyable, easy read. Lee's opinions come through the voices of the child protagonists a bit more heavy-handed than I like. Despite agreeing with his message, I strongly dislike putting your opinions into the mouths of babes, as if they are the natural truths a pure and innocent child is born knowing.
Eli reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
None
5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed this telling of a story. It was simple enough through the eyes of a child, but of course had thought-provoking content. Scene was well set to take you back to the time and situation.
Nordpirat reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
None
4 stars
The book most certainly did not leave me indifferent. I was irritated, annoyed or angry several times during the read.
Domics Pinnwand reviewed To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
None
5 stars
Wow. Tolles Buch! Ich weiß nicht, wieso ich so lange gebraucht habe, um es endlich mal zu lesen. Wahrscheinlich hat mich abgeschreckt, dass es viele als "Schullektüre" lesen müssen. Ich habe es auf Englisch gelesen und obwohl ich eigentlich flüssig lese auf Englisch, fand ich de Südstaaten-Dialekt teilweise schon tricky. Aber ich muss sagen, Goodreads hat recht: Das Buch passt von der Stimmung zu anderen Südstaaten-Büchern wie "The Help" oder "Die Bienenhüterin". Wirklich schön! Ich hatte zwar einen Doppelband, in dem auch der "Wächter" enthalten gewesen wäre, aber den hebe ich mir für ein anderes Mal auf. Also, der erste von - wie ich mir vorgenommen habe - 12 Klassikern in 2018 war schon mal ein echter Volltreffer. Das werde ich sicher noch einmal lesen. Was nun? Vielleicht einen Faulkner? Oder einen Steinbeck? Mal sehen...
Wow. Tolles Buch! Ich weiß nicht, wieso ich so lange gebraucht habe, um es endlich mal zu lesen. Wahrscheinlich hat mich abgeschreckt, dass es viele als "Schullektüre" lesen müssen. Ich habe es auf Englisch gelesen und obwohl ich eigentlich flüssig lese auf Englisch, fand ich de Südstaaten-Dialekt teilweise schon tricky. Aber ich muss sagen, Goodreads hat recht: Das Buch passt von der Stimmung zu anderen Südstaaten-Büchern wie "The Help" oder "Die Bienenhüterin". Wirklich schön! Ich hatte zwar einen Doppelband, in dem auch der "Wächter" enthalten gewesen wäre, aber den hebe ich mir für ein anderes Mal auf. Also, der erste von - wie ich mir vorgenommen habe - 12 Klassikern in 2018 war schon mal ein echter Volltreffer. Das werde ich sicher noch einmal lesen. Was nun? Vielleicht einen Faulkner? Oder einen Steinbeck? Mal sehen...
