"To Kill A Mockingbird" turns 50

NPR

This is one of my all-time favorite books. I read it in 9th grade. I wasn't supposed to. But I was so far ahead of everyone else in my English classes the teacher let me read whatever I wanted from the storage cabinets in the back of the room.

I suppose I should have given my copy back.

I reread this book at least once per year. But, sadly, I am going to need to replace my cheap paperback copy soon.

Do you love this book? Do you hate it?

Used to love it when i was in Jr High and high school...feel more ambivalent about it as time goes on.

I've always liked this book. This was on the list when I started re-reading a lot of those "classics" that are a staple of so many highschool English courses. I found I appreciated the stories more now, or else picked up on more of the subtleties than I did back in the day.

By and large there are reasons that these stories are classics, it's a title well earned, it's just difficult to see that when you're in the 9th grade.

I recommend folks re-read To Kill A Mockingbird, just to see if they also find it's improved with age.

-ReAct
"Education is wasted on youth."

First book that I actually read in high school when it was assigned. It is one of the best written books in my opinion. I think it should be read in every high school across America if not the world.

See, that's my problem with it now that I'm older and (i hope) a better reader. The book is not that subtle. The "good guys" are all good, no bad..and the bad guys are all bad, no good. The black characters are all noble, but somewhat dopey and ineffectual. The bad white characters are pure evil.

Agreed. For me it hasn't. That's not to say it's not a hugely important book and one that is really well written. I just don't think it's on the level of other classics, especially where subtlety is concerned. (of course, if you're talking about subtlety in narration, of the brilliance of documenting childhood or the Dill character, I'll concede the point).

there's a lot (understatement) that is wonderful about the book, but I just wanted to point out some negatives.

But the good guys aren't all good. The men who respect Atticus Finch are the same men in the lynch mob. And look at Atticus himself. He has a high proficiency with guns, but has a severe dislike for them as well. Not something that comes from him hunting a lot as a kid. I have a sneaking suspicion that Atticus, at one point and maybe in self defense, killed someone.

And the bad guys aren't all bad. Look at the daughter of the trashy family (forgetting names). She plants flowers and wants to tell the truth about what happened. Is it just fear that is holding her back? Is it because of the incestuous "marriage" loyalty that she feels for her father?

And if you want to see the non-noble Black characters, just look at the church service.

Love. I agree with the above post, but also wanted to mention that the book is told from a child's point of view, and to most children, everything is all good or bad. Kids have a very black or white mentality at the age Scout is, and we are seeing the world as she sees it.

I read this book in high school and it remains my favourite and I think will continue to be evermore.

Watch until the end.

Love this book! My teacher read it to us in the fourth grade. I loved it so much she gave me a copy at the end of the year. I've since re-read it about six times. Still great!