To Kill A Mockingbird

[luvflorida]

To Kill A Mockingbird is one of my, and my two daughters, favorite books ever! I read the book several times in high school, (a looooooooong time ago!), and one of my favorite memories from back then was watching the movie in my bedroom on my little black and white television. I fell in love with the actor who played Jem and I even went so far as to write a letter to the tv station, or somewhere in Hollywood, and I received a glossy 8x10 of the actor.

People also used to tell me that I looked a lot like the actress, Mary Badham, who played Scout in the movie. Little did I know that I would have a daughter many years later, who would look even more like Scout! My youngest daughter was in a production when she was 8 years old and the other actors and actresses nicknamed her "Scout" because she reminded them of her. When she was ten, she got to play the role of Scout in a community theatre production of To Kill A Mockingbird.

Didn't mean to carry on, but I think you should at least give the movie version a try, then maybe you'd want to read the book.

 

[swilphil]

Don't give up yet. The book is divided into two parts. You're almost done with the Part One, and Part Two is where all the action is. Read Ch. 9. If you're still bored, skip to Part Two (Ch. 12). You will need to read Chapters 10 and 11 at some point though.

Harper Lee initially wrote short stories of her childhood and pieced them together to make up the first part of To Kill a Mockingbird. Actually, rumor has it that Truman Capote (Dill) helped her write the book. There are a few that believe Capote wrote the book himself, and that's why Harper Lee never wrote another novel. I don't really see Capote's writing style in Mockingbird, but I do suspect that Capote did some heavy editing for Lee.

 

[mickeysaver]

Out of all the books that I was ever required to read for school, this was my favorite. It gets better.....just give it time. I don't know if it speaks as well to the kids of today, but it is a great work that speaks volumes about the concept of integrity and the nature of humanity....both the good and the dark sides of it. Maggie

 

[SideshowBob]

"I swore never to read again after "To Kill A Mockingbird" gave me no useful advice on killing mockingbirds. It did teach me not to judge a man based on the color of his skin, but what good does that do me?!" - Homer Simpson

Too, too funny!!

 

[cheerful chickadee]

I too love this book! I'd say give it another shot!

 

[Sparx]

I've read alot of boring books. I've read alot of the 'classics' that made me want to beat my head in before finishing it. I know a boring book when I read a boring book and I can list ten off the top of my head, but To Kill A Mockingbird is not a boring book. This is one of the best pieces of american literature ever written. This is a wonderful book. It is an amazing movie. You stopped at a slow point in the book. Give it a chance. If you finish it, and still don't like it, then I will accept that, but don't quit in the beginning. That is just wrong. Something this well written deserves more than that. jmo.

 

[Rowena]

Admittedly, I do love to read. Escaping into the written realm is better than anything to me...

To the OP....WHA???!

Of all the books assigned, this was very very high on my list of "good books"
(I also liked Brave New World, and Watership Down. Where The Red Fern Grows was also pretty good....).

Please give it another chance..it has many ideas from differing perspectives....and, gosh I'm sorry, it's a really good book. It's been awhile since I've read it...but I do not regret reading any of the three times I soaked it in. Sorry you're bored by it...I do know the feeling...I tried 6 times to read LOTR...the hobbit was okay but LOTR was booooooooooooriiiiiiing and dry dry dry...to me.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

TKAM rocks!!! This is one of the few books I was required to read in school that I read time and time again. It's awesome!

 

[muffy0110]

I liked the movie better-the worst most boring of all boring
is
Mobey Dick

 

[Patricia]

I just finished teaching from this book yesterday. I use it for a summer reading book with my 8th graders and then work with it for Sept. I tell them in June that the first part of the book is a bit dry but the story will grab them and to stick with it. In the end, of my 52 students, all but 4 love it. The discussions and life-learning that we do from this novel is priceless. Give it one more chance!

 

[Sandy51]

I can't tell you how many times I've read this book. It is my all-time favorite.
Try it again.


Sandy

 

[swilphil]

I've read alot of boring books. I've read alot of the 'classics' that made me want to beat my head in before finishing it. I know a boring book when I read a boring book and I can list ten off the top of my head, but To Kill A Mockingbird is not a boring book. This is one of the best pieces of american literature ever written. This is a wonderful book. It is an amazing movie. You stopped at a slow point in the book. Give it a chance. If you finish it, and still don't like it, then I will accept that, but don't quit in the beginning. That is just wrong. Something this well written deserves more than that. jmo.

I'm glad you like the book, Sparx. It really is a sweet story.

 

[Geoff_M]

I was amazed by the book when I read it in middle school. I agree.... required reading at that age level.

Also, Gregory Peck is only second in the category of on-camera lawyers to Sam Waterston in my book.

 

[clarabelle]

I LOVE this book. I can't count how many times I have read it
Some of the imagery is amazing
One of my favorite scenes is when Atticus shoots the dog. It brings chills up my spine
Harper Lee never wrote another book
Hey Boo

 

[Daxx]

This book is my all time favorite!!! I remember being assigned to read it in HS and being so excited to read it. I am an avid reader and I loved getting books assigned in HS (I know, dork!). I liked short stories but always loved a novel I could sink my teeth into. I remember reading this book in the late Spring. Our teacher made it sound soooo good from her description that I couldn't wait to get to the school book store to pick up my copy!

The day we were assigned the book, I started reading it immediately. At night, we were going to see a play and we were sitting outside and I remember I didn't want to go in to see the play b/c I just wanted to read. I remember my father taking my book away so I couldn't sneak peeks during the play!

I love this book. It is one of my top 10 favorites, if not #1!! Thanks for the "trip back in time".

 

[nativetxn]

I read this book before I was required too and was so happy to have it assigned for class again because I loved it.

Ben Hur, on the other hand...well, that was boring.

Rent a recording of this book if you have a difficult time focusing on the rented word. I think you will enjoy the story.

Katholyn

 

[eclectics]

Harper Lee never wrote another book

It's said that in the early 60's after being pestered by media asking about why she had no plans for a second novel, she replied "Because I've said all I have to say" and after that she never did another interview.