Sign in with Facebook
Lisa Lieberman's Reviews > To Kill a Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird
by
by
I brought this along on a trip out to California to see our son and took the advice of several Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friends and bought the Audiobook narrated by Sissy Spacek along with the Kindle version. Spacek was wonderful as Scout, but I'm glad I was able to follow along with the text. She told the tale so sweetly and seductively, I might have missed Lee's artistry if I hadn't had the words on the page (screen) in front of me to admire, all by themselves.
Such a well-told story! I remember being shocked less by the jury's verdict, when I read it in Junior High, than by the violence against the children, Jem's broken arm, especially. I was already a cynic, at age thirteen. Racial injustice saddened me, but it did not surprise me. Nobody in my community was feeling complacent about the victories of the Civil Rights movement; it seemed as if the struggle was just beginning, back in 1970.
This time through, I saw that we still have no grounds for complacency. Removing the Confederate Flag from the state capitol grounds is a nice symbolic gesture, but how does it change the lives of America's black citizens who still have less access to a high-quality public education, well-paying jobs, healthcare, let alone legal justice? I read in the NYTimes yesterday while waiting for a connecting flight (wanted to save the ending of Mockingbird until I was settled back in my seat and free of distracting airport announcements), so that's what's coloring my views. Still saddened, but trying not to be cynical. Cynicism gets in the way of actually DOING something, and I see much to do, in my own backyard.
Non sequitur: I paged through the beginning of Go Set A Watchman in a Berkeley bookstore. Perhaps there was something more to be told about Scout's and Atticus's story, but if Lee didn't feel compelled to (re)write it when she was in her prime, I have no desire to read this jejeune effort.
Such a well-told story! I remember being shocked less by the jury's verdict, when I read it in Junior High, than by the violence against the children, Jem's broken arm, especially. I was already a cynic, at age thirteen. Racial injustice saddened me, but it did not surprise me. Nobody in my community was feeling complacent about the victories of the Civil Rights movement; it seemed as if the struggle was just beginning, back in 1970.
This time through, I saw that we still have no grounds for complacency. Removing the Confederate Flag from the state capitol grounds is a nice symbolic gesture, but how does it change the lives of America's black citizens who still have less access to a high-quality public education, well-paying jobs, healthcare, let alone legal justice? I read in the NYTimes yesterday while waiting for a connecting flight (wanted to save the ending of Mockingbird until I was settled back in my seat and free of distracting airport announcements), so that's what's coloring my views. Still saddened, but trying not to be cynical. Cynicism gets in the way of actually DOING something, and I see much to do, in my own backyard.
Non sequitur: I paged through the beginning of Go Set A Watchman in a Berkeley bookstore. Perhaps there was something more to be told about Scout's and Atticus's story, but if Lee didn't feel compelled to (re)write it when she was in her prime, I have no desire to read this jejeune effort.
Sign into Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ to see if any of your friends have read
To Kill a Mockingbird.
Sign In »
Reading Progress
Started Reading
July 20, 2015
–
Finished Reading
July 21, 2015
– Shelved
July 21, 2015
– Shelved as:
classics
Comments Showing 1-4 of 4 (4 new)
date
newest »
newest »
message 1:
by
Dolors
(new)
-
rated it 3 stars
Jul 21, 2015 11:31PM
I want to re-read TKAM but your non sequitur paragraph echoes my thoughts about the new release, Lisa. Glad you enjoyed the Audiobook version of this timeless classic.
reply
|
flag
Thanks, Dolors. It was great to revisit the book, forty-five years later.
Re Go Set a Watchman, my understanding (from a Times article) is that it was the first draft of a story that Lee and her editor extensively reworked to create To Kill a Mockingbird. In a sense, Lee did rewrite GSAW, and I too have no desire to read it. I ought to take a look at TKAM, though—I've never read it or even seen the film. Have you written about the film version?
Oh, you should definitely read it. Or do as I did, and listen as you read. Then see the film. I ought to watch it again and review it. I remember liking it, way back when. Thanks for the prod.
