Sunday, February 28, 2016

#collaboreads: A Classic

With all the buzz about Go Set A Watchman this past summer, I decided to re-read To Kill A Mockingbird before I ventured to grab Harper Lee's newest book.  This month's #collaboreads category gave me the perfect chance delve into the old classic.


RIVETING.
What part of the book could you NOT get enough of?

The most riveting part of the book was easily Tom Robinson's trial that takes place in the second half of the book.  I can appreciate the extended back story and details of the fascination with Boo Radley as it plays a major part in the story's ending, but the trial was hands down the most intriguing and mind-boggling part of the book.  Definitely a page turner throughout the second half of the book. 

ELEMENTS.
How did you relate to/care for the characters?
What's your thought on the plot line and twists and turns?

It was easy for me to relate to Scout in some ways, but also to Jem in other ways.  I grew up running around with the boys.  I was always playing and riding bikes in the summers.  However, I was usually the oldest in the bunch which meant the responsibility to stay within the boundaries fell to me (like Jem).  I was also more wise to the ways of the world before the younger ones.  Oh, to be an innocent youth again!

The characters I cared for the most were Tom Robinson and Boo Radley.  Obviously, Tom Robinson was set up.  And unfortunately paid for it with his life.  Boo Radley was simply misunderstood.  It is an awful feeling to be misunderstood.  It often means people simply don't take the time or make the effort to understand.  Not matter what one does, they can't change other people.  It is up to others to become aware of their ignorance or fear and address it.

As you most likely know, there were a number of twists and turns throughout the novel.  I really love the way Harper Lee weaves them into the story seamlessly.  The novel is extremely well written.  I loved the twists even though they often turned out to be heartbreaking. 

ASSOCIATE.
What other books are like this one? If none, did it remind you of a particular TV or movie with it's themes and characters? Does it serendipitous-ly line-up with things going on in your life or the news right now? 

A Time to Kill by John Grisham is vaguely similar in that it follows a trial and race plays a major factor. However, reading To Kill A Mockingbird again made me realize how things haven't really changed all that much today.  Sure, blacks and whites co-exist, but they aren't viewed as equals.  It is a horrible shame, but it is true.  Recently, there has been a tremendous amount of attention placed on a number of black lives destroyed by white men in power only to be have these white men held overwhelmingly unaccountable for their actions.  The families of these young black men don't even get their day in court.  The white man's action is considered right without juries (and the public) ever hearing the full evidence.  The content of this book (and the implications of racial issues that are still present today) lines up with my life in ways that affect me daily.  My future children will face these issues in a way that I never had to growing up so it is something I think about often.

DESIGN.
You know you judged this book by the cover. What did you think of it? 
How did it relate to the contents of the novel? And the font and layout of the pages? 

The cover of the book is great.  I really like the tree design since it is prevalent throughout the novel.  And the silhouette of the kid is perfect.  The cover also has a way of drawing you into the text.   

STARS.  
How many out of five do you give this book? Would you recommend this book to a friend?  

I give this book 4.5 stars!  I only withhold the final half star because I would have preferred a tad less of the first half and a tad more of the second half.  Regardless, I would recommend this book to anyone!
 
Andrea :)

2 comments:

  1. I love To Kill a mockingbird so much, I didn't love the second book as much, it was good just not as good :). I'd love to hear what you think about it.

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  2. I read a high school read too! I feel like I ABSOLUTELY need to pick up Mockingbird again... I loved it and it's richness in high school, but the chance to reengage with it would be lovely. Got to go add it to my To Read list now!

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