Customer Reviews

To Kill A Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary edition

5 star:		(442)
4 star:		(62)
3 star:		(21)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

I must have read this story at least five times in the two or so years since I first picked up a copy, sometimes returning right back to the start after closing the book. I only wish I could remain immersed in Harper Lee's bygone age and beautifully crafted characters, and not have to reach that last page.

The main thread of 'To Kill A Mockingbird' is the trial of a black man, the symbolic 'mockingbird' of the title, who is accused of raping a white woman, but I much prefer the subtext of a widower father struggling to raise his children with the correct values in a deeply prejudiced society. The story is told through the eyes of the eight year old daughter, 'Scout', which at once paints a more honest picture of events whilst presenting a biased opinion of the central adult protagonist. Whether or not Scout is blinded by love for her father, Atticus Finch is probably one of the most heroic characters in fiction, and a role model for fathers everywhere. Although the trial itself is a tense moment in the story, and educational from a historical point of view, it is the Finch family dynamic that has made me so attached to this story. The first part of the book, when the children are younger and still relatively blind to the world that surrounds them, provides the most enjoyable reading.

I don't know whether it is a good or bad thing that Harper Lee has only written this one story, because I doubt 'To Kill A Mockingbird' could be surpassed. Scout's narration presents both a child's world in adult terms, and an adult world from a child's point of view, providing much comic relief amidst the drama and heartfelt emotion.

If you loved reading the book or have seen the movie - you can't fail to enjoy this audio version. Sissy Spacek has exactly the right voice, and in particular, her portrayal of Scout Finch is mesmerising.
This masterful reading brings the world of Maycomb County vividly to life. And at such a bargain price, it is a must-have for fans of the book.
Buy it now - you will not be disappointed!

I loved "To Kill a Mocking Bird the first time I read it 15 years ago and I've loved it each of the dozens of times I've read it since. Scout's fragile innocence as she learns about the injustices of the world touches my heart.

Before I start this review I want to say that I think To Kill a Mockingbird is a brilliant novel and it easily gets five stars. This review is of this book specifically. I happen to have both this edition and an older version printed in the 70s, and I'm afraid they seem to have strangely edited it. A couple of bits are cut out for no apparant reason - pages 191 and 280 - and I really can't fathom why they did it. The old version is far better. Footlights is changed to floodlights, another really weird and miniscule change which I know doesn't make any difference whatsoever, but why the hell did they change it in the first place? There are loads of misprints also, which don't appear in the older version. I know that normal people (unlike me) won't care, but I'd really advise you to buy a different edition if you can find one, as the changes on 191 and 280 are quite major, and neither of the changes are improvements. I want to repeat that I think the book itself is brilliant and deserves five stars, but get a different edition.

Great book and a genuine classic. Written with strong characters and a teasing story which will leave you wanting more and more, to the point of making some read it in one sitting!

The story is fascinating, engrossing, and utterly captivating as the drama cleverly unfolds. The narrating character 'Scout', unveils the hypocrisy of some people in a fictional American town during the Great Depression - in their attitudes towards people of a different colour, economic status and different religion as well as people with disabilities. Human nature in 'To Kill A Mocking Bird' is drawn bare as people pass judgement on others without judging themselves first.

I first read this book when I was very young, too young to understand it, and then again when I was at school. But this is one of those books that becomes more profound, more accessible and more relevant the more you read it.

On the surface, it is a tale of racial prejudice in the search for justice, but in fact the story goes beyond that. It is about all prejudices, about the importance of walking around in someone else's shoes in order to truly understand them. Jem and Scout are delightfully child-like, and the effect of a hindsight narrative only adds to the many layers to be found here. Atticus Finch is the man to beat all men - he is the ideal father, the ideal man. He stands for justice, for righteousness and for "fighting back", even when you know you have lost. He is the ideal against which all men should be measured.

This is the most brilliant story of one community's injustice in small-town America, the consequences of which resonate throughout society at large. There has never been (and can never be) another "To Kill a Mockingbird", and the most amazing thing about this novel is that it can be read, re-read and read again generation after generation, and its magic only ever increases. A must-have in your collection!

At first I thought it seemed like a boring old book but after getting into the first few chapters I couldn’t put it down. This book mainly covers the prejudice that coloured people face and the Harper Lee has a unique way of portraying the book. This story was based on something which happened to her in her childhood so because of this she writes the story almost as if she writing her autobiography.

This is a brilliant read no matter how old you are or where in the world you come from. I would mainly recommend this book to someone who likes to read either biographies or autobiographies even though this story is neither one.

This book clearly won a Pulitzer prize for a reason. Granted, the main crux of the story doesn't really start until about half way through the book hence just missing out on 5 stars from me. It took me a few days to get through the first half of the book as I found it rather tedious waiting for Harper to set the scene but then I breezed through the second half of the book in a day once we got to the meat of the story. I am glad I stuck at it because come the end of it I must admit it was a thoroughly enjoyable read with several different themes running in parallel. This contrasted sharply with other more modern books I have read, for example 21st century murder mysteries which were very singular in theme and didn't necessarily have any life lessons for me to draw from. This book is so much more than just a "story".

Firstly, it is obvious Harper is from the time the book is set - the 1930s, so as a side show you do learn a lot about how they spoke and lived in the southern states during that period. Secondly you appreciate just how much of a divide and prejudice there was towards coloured people, in a way it makes me feel lucky to be living in the age we do now, I can't imagine how nasty it must have been to be a part of the horrible treatment they subjected fellow human beings to in the early/mid 20th century purely because of the colour of their skin. Finally it is easy to forget there is a strong storyline to all of it! Namely the accusation laid towards Tom Robinson that he raped a white girl and his subsequent trial all seen through the eyes of a small child - Scout Finch.

Overall a strong book that I look forward to discussing with some friends who read this before me over a drink. I never realised this book was such a popular study text during school, I never covered it during my childhood education, but at least I can say I have read it now!

Enjoy.

Most people were forced to read this book at school. I am fortunate that I was not! I think this would have taken away some of the pleasure I had in reading it. I was enthralled, could not put it down and, as a result, read it in a few days - in bed, at work, etc! I was totally gutted when I finished it as I felt like I knew the characters and actually MISS them, especially Atticus. I'm dying to know what happened next! I would urge anyone to read it, it's definitely changed my life.

Very good Audio recording of 'To Kill A Mockingbird'. Cissy Spacek's delivery was very atmospheric, clear and very enthusiastic. 11 CDs gave about 12 hours of pleasurable listening.