I have read the classic book “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee, and I have a lot to say about it. First of all, this is definitely one of the greatest pieces of literature of all time, and that is evident in the style, unique flow, and the build-up of characters in the story, all of which are aspects of what constructs not only a great story, but a sure classic. It is a good 323 pages long, but it’s worth the time.
Its style was appealing to me, and was a mix of realistic and historical fiction, from what it seems. Both of those genres make for really interesting stories, and a mix of them is no exception. I have read other books of one of those genres, and their plots mesmerized me.
The plot of the story seemed like it was actually two plots in one, separated into ‘parts’. The first part was about the three main characters in the story, Scout, Jem and Dill, and their fascination for an urban legend involving a mysterious figure named Boo Radley. Rumor has it that he was scrapbooking when his father came in the living room. At that moment, Boo stabbed him in the leg and proceeded with his scrapbooking normally.
The second part involved Scout and Jem’s father, Atticus, being assigned to a tough criminal case, in which his Negro client, Tom Robinson, was accused of raping a 19-year-old white girl. Although Atticus had enough reasons to prove him innocent, the conditions were unfavorable, and eventually, Tom was sent to prison. Upon an escape attempt, he was shot to death. Something eerily similar happened in another book, “Let the Circle Be Unbroken,” both of which I have read and were based in the same time period.
There are also many themes involved, such as prejudice (in this story, against African-Americans), intrigue, conflicts between different families or groups, and the troubles of regular life. I can relate to all of these themes, and being able to do so gives you a better understanding of the book.
Overall, this book is a great read and is very inspiring and provokes feelings within the mind and body, as well as thought about the situations in the book and how the reader can relate to them. It is long, but worth your time to read it. As you begin to read it, notice the main elements I pointed out, although they are more evident in some areas more than others.
