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Did you like this book?, Share your opinions here.

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Pyxis View Member Profile	Aug 8 2008, 05:01 PM Post #1
Exclusive distributor of The Dungbomb Protection Kit Posts: 2,632 Joined: 10:52pm March 5, 2007	To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1961, and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1962. The book is generally found on lists of recommended reading for young people, and is often listed as required reading in U.S. high schools. Did you like this book? Why, or why not? Do you think it is still relevant for today's society? Is it relevant to global society? Were you bothered by the language at all?

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coppertopchopper... coppertopchopperhopper View Member Profile	Aug 13 2008, 05:23 PM Post #21
Selling Illegal Items at Borgin and Burkes Posts: 2,815 Joined: 12:53pm July 7, 2006 Location: In front of the computer, of course!	'To Kill a Mockingbird' was the best thing I ever had to read for school and the only school book i have re-read since leaving school (a long time ago) its also one of my favourite films. Peck is fantastic as Atticus Finch and Brock Peters was just as good as Tom Robinson -------------------- "I am not worried, Harry, I am with you." Visit My Website

Ex Libres Cogito View Member Profile	Aug 13 2008, 06:51 PM Post #22
Buying a Half-Kneazle Posts: 515 Joined: 1:37pm September 7, 2007 Location: Azkaban, Practicing my Patronus	I did not grow up during the Great Depression. Nor am I from Southern Alabama. However, I did grow up in the South during the end of segregation; and I found this book so painful to read that I had to put it down for long stretches of time before finishing. The title sounds rather inocuous. But many of the events described therein are not. It reminds me of a comment JK Rowling made upon visiting a Holocaust mueseum. She was quite surprised how similar the Death Eater mentality against mudbloods was to the nazis (even to the details of half-pure blood, quarter-pure, etc.). The lessons that could be learned from Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning historic novel of racial discrimination and abuse in the Deep South are many. However, I shudder to participate in a "light" discussion of such topics. These characters are not "muggles, "witches/wizards," and such. These characters -- at least to me -- are real. -------------------- In troubled times, it is often better to remember simple pleasures - family, virtue, and character - rather than to succumb to the woesome distractions of desire, defeat, and disillusionment. ELC

Pyxis View Member Profile	Aug 15 2008, 09:04 AM Post #23
Exclusive distributor of The Dungbomb Protection Kit Posts: 2,632 Joined: 10:52pm March 5, 2007	QUOTE(Ex Libres Cogito @ Aug 13 2008, 04:51 PM) I did not grow up during the Great Depression. Nor am I from Southern Alabama. However, I did grow up in the South during the end of segregation; and I found this book so painful to read that I had to put it down for long stretches of time before finishing. The title sounds rather inocuous. But many of the events described therein are not. It reminds me of a comment JK Rowling made upon visiting a Holocaust mueseum. She was quite surprised how similar the Death Eater mentality against mudbloods was to the nazis (even to the details of half-pure blood, quarter-pure, etc.). The lessons that could be learned from Harper Lee's Pulitzer Prize winning historic novel of racial discrimination and abuse in the Deep South are many. However, I shudder to participate in a "light" discussion of such topics. These characters are not "muggles, "witches/wizards," and such. These characters -- at least to me -- are real. You bring out an interesting point, ELC. I may be stating the obvious, but I think that the point of view of the reader strongly determines how this book is perceived, more so than with other books. I had a hard time grasping the notion that an injustice of the magnitude addressed in Mockingbird could actually happen, that gives it more a feeling of fiction (not that I don't believe it happens, I just have never personally experienced it). But then, I am a thirty-something white woman, who was raised in the western U.S. I think the great thing about this novel is that it captured life so well. Life is both bitter and sweet, and the fact that the light in the book was not completely obliterated by the dark speaks to the talent of the author.

Moose_Starr View Member Profile	Aug 17 2008, 10:15 AM Post #24
Leaky's Official Donut Maker and Mosquito Man Posts: 11,144 Joined: 10:51am August 25, 2005 Location: Playing kal-toh with Professor Snape	QUOTE(Ex Libres Cogito @ Aug 13 2008, 09:51 PM) However, I shudder to participate in a "light" discussion of such topics. These characters are not "muggles, "witches/wizards," and such. These characters -- at least to me -- are real. I express myself really badly so, I hope I can explain what I intend to say I guess we can discuss the book anyhow we see fit so, it doesnt have to be a light discussion. This book addresses real issues and although wizards were and still are persecuted, we're not discussing healers or sorcerers here, but racial & cultural issues. Sometimes reading a novel in a light hearted way isnt belittling a real experience, but, it brings it to a wider audience and explains things in a way that fact can not. Like, I have read Bury My Heart At Wounded Knee but it was real hard reading, where as Tecumseh was easier to read because it was written as a graphic novel (but still just as heart wrenching) Also I read King as a graphic novel. Maybe writing TKAM from a childs point of view allows Harper Lee and the reader, to write or learn about injustice from a more simplistic point of view yet with no apologies or glossing over the facts. Discussing this book does have more light hearted threads because I guess, if it was only the serious issues that were addressed, it could be too heavy going. Also the book itself includes light hearted elements, also includes various and different serious elements. Sometimes presenting a serious issue in a more light manner can make it more accessible and understandable but it doesnt mean that it's any less serious or taken any less serious. I did not grow up with segregation. I can not pretend to understand the extent of the injustices or prejudices. But, I understand racism and injustice (as much as my limited experience allows me). But, from my point of view it's better to address serious issues even in a light discussion than not to address them at all, and if some of us (like yourself) can not participate in a light discussion this is cool, too because if you bring a more heavy point of view it adds a new dimension to the discussion of the book and brings a different point of view, too. Sometimes taking a lighter look at things is necessary but including a more serious discussion brings new depth and understanding to such a difficult and real issue, or issues. I like this book because, it does address a serious issue with the honesty of a child, it doesnt pretend to be something it's not or make excuses. Yet it addresses a whole lot of issues. I dont necessary like the issues but I like the book, if that makes sense. -------------------- I'm 1 of the 99.99% W.L.Y.J. When I sleep I dream, and when I dream I can rise above the walls Remember Cameron Duncan Thanks Jeff!

wordsaremagic View Member Profile	Aug 17 2008, 04:02 PM Post #25
Knight MacMod The Great Protecting The Memory Of Sense Posts: 2,430 Joined: 7:17pm February 17, 2006 Location: 3rd door on the left, Hogsmeade	QUOTE(Moose_Starr @ Aug 17 2008, 08:15 AM) [...] Maybe writing TKAM from a childs point of view allows Harper Lee and the reader, to write or learn about injustice from a more simplistic point of view yet with no apologies or glossing over the facts. [...] I like this book because, it does address a serious issue with the honesty of a child, it doesnt pretend to be something it's not or make excuses. Yet it addresses a whole lot of issues. I dont necessary like the issues but I like the book, if that makes sense. It is the use of Scout's point of view (and very consistent use of it--good craftsmanship) that makes the whole book work. It was a masterful artistic choice. The story could not be told with the same effectiveness from, for example, the third-person-major-character POV of Harry Potter. That is, a narrator telling it from Scout's point of view might have told us what happened, but not nearly so effectively. At the same time, Atticus could not have told the same story, nor Jem, nor Dill. Each of their experiences would be interesting, but Scout is the perfect choice, not just because it gives us a more simplistic view of justice and injustice but because it gives a more intimate experience of that magic transition from innocence to experience. We don't just see it; we too experience it. It is masterfully told--the older woman in touch with her childhood, able to see her strengths and weaknesses, able to see the strengths and weakness of those close to her (and still loving them), watching the death of her own innocence (without wallowing in despair or cynicism). Beautifully told! ------ Did I "like" this book? I was about the age of Jem when I read it, not long after it was released (but before the movie was made). I felt a kinship with the children. Scout and Jem pretended a great deal--Tarzan for example. Today, they would be pretending Harry Potter and playing out themes of justice and injustice by waving their "wands," but ultimately and painfully learning that there is no magic community of light and justice that always prevails--there is just you and me, and if one of our lights goes out, the world is that much darker. And so, we stand ready to die for the light. There is no other choice. That is what I carried away from this book at the age of twelve. -------------------- click the Q "And, if there is need to speak in brief summary of this power, we shall find that none of the things which are done with intelligence take place without the help of speech, but that in all our actions as well as in all our thoughts speech is our guide, . . ." Isocrates, Antidosis

Floo Commuter View Member Profile	Aug 19 2008, 12:40 AM Post #26
Rat Tonic Bottler Posts: 1,129 Joined: 11:39pm June 30, 2007 Location: The Burrow, swapping knitting patterns with Molly	I just wanted to thank you for the choice of this book. I had not read it for almost 30 years and probably would not have picked it up again if it wasn't chosen. I found a copy after over an hour searching the local second hand book store and have enjoyed every stolen moment reading it. This book is a joy that has taken me back to when times were a lot less demanding, particularly on me, and has given my a tiny escape from my now hectic and way too stressful life. Once again, I say thank you. -------------------- Maroon to the Bone Four years in a row, what champions. Hugs to Up To No Good for my cute avatar

Perenelle View Member Profile	Aug 26 2008, 12:42 PM Post #27
Loyal Lockhart Fan Posts: 4,285 Joined: 10:42am February 15, 2005 Location: Embracing my Inner Slytherin	I love the results for this poll! I'm with, well everyone when I say I liked it. I wouldn't say I enjoyed reading every part, but I did like the whole experience. As for recommending to others, yes absolutely, but probably with a warning or an explanation, depending on who I was talking to. -------------------- Ginny and the Weasleys

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