To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
I read this in one sitting on the way home from my grandmothers funeral. I'd read it in high school but honestly couldn't remember anything about it. It's the quintessential growing up in the South, coming of age book narrated by a young girl. It's what The Secret Life of Bees and countless others try to be.

In the first scene, Scout describes her Southern town as moving slowly in the hot summer heat. That is how Lee's novel seems to unfold, slowly and carefully, not rushing along, or preaching too much. Characters don't come from nowhere, or dissappear. The lessons learned in the book come about organically, naturally, yet leaves you with hope that we have actually learned something from them.

Atticus Finch was recently listed as one of the all-time best heros--and indeed, for his courage and his wisdom, he is one of my favorite literary figures.


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