a book

To Kill a Mockingbird

Name: To Kill a Mockingbird
Rating: 5 (24 reviews)
Author: Harper Lee
ISBN: 9780062420701

Harper Lee · 2006 · 336 pages

"Shoot all the bluejays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird." A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel—a black man charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with rich humor and unswerving honesty the irrationality of adult attitudes toward race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence, and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina and quiet heroism of one man's struggle for justice—but the weight of history will only tolerate so much. One of the best-loved classics of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has earned many dis-tinctions since its original publication in 1960. It has won the Pulitzer Prize, been translated into more than forty languages, sold more than forty million copies worldwide, and been made into an enormously popular movie. It was also named the best novel of the twentieth century by librarians across the country (Library Journal).

recommended by 24 people

sourced from public statements

Shonda Rhimes
“To Kill a Mockingbird just gets better with age. I’ve read Harper Lee’s masterpiece over and over again. It’s a great read at age 11 and 23 and 35. Recently, at 42, I took it on vacation to read again. Age changes the book, like a painting that changes when you look at it from different angles. I used to spend all my time thinking of Scout. Now I spend most of my time focused on Atticus and Tom and Boo Radley. It’s timeless and perfect; I can’t wait to share a copy with my daughters. Especially with my daughter named Harper.”↗
Ben Shapiro
“"#3FaveBooksWhenIWasAKid 1. To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) 2. Chip Hilton sports series (Clair Bee) 3. Four Days In July (Cornel Lengyel)"”↗
John Cusack
“I really don’t know what I could say about this book that hasn’t already been said. I read it in high school English class, and it was the first time I went to school and was interested in what anyone had to say. The story leaped off the page; it made me confront my own fears and prejudices. I went home and started reading and didn’t stop until the next morning. I’d never had that experience. I’d never been moved that way, felt that sort of pathos or compassion. That moment—the first time you fall in love with art—it has a huge impact on you. In a sense, you’re always looking for those moments.”↗
Tanya Byron
“Beyond excited! Got THE book of the summer! To Kill A Mbird my fav book since doing for A level in 1984!!”↗
Bob Odenkirk
“You already know this. Lyrical writing. A child’s point of view, but done with intelligence and sensitivity, and a lesson at the end that is the only lesson you ever need to know to become a good person. So say I.”↗
Kathy Bates
“This is my favorite book. I’ve read it many times, often aloud. I find the rhythm of the language soothing, perhaps because, like Harper Lee, I’m a southerner. It is the quintessential coming-of-age story, set in a small southern town, in which racial injustice is seen through the clear eyes of a child. But it is also about the prejudices and preconceptions we all have of those who are different from ourselves. The story of Boo Radley, of course, is the most poignant example of this. I also love the part where a rabid dog wanders down the street one afternoon, and Calpurnia, the housekeeper, calls Atticus home. His son, Jem, who’s having a hard time looking up to his father, is surprised to see Sheriff Tate offer Atticus the rifle—and astonished when Atticus hits the dog squarely between the eyes.”↗
Michael Connelly
“I know what you’re thinking, that this is on the wrong list. This is the great American novel, not a mystery or a thriller. But I beg to differ. To me it is mystery with a message, perhaps the best legal thriller ever. It, of course, is a study in courage and social reflection on race and justice, but it also pushed me to the edge of my seat when I read it the first time about 50 years ago, and every time since.”↗
Harry Khachatrian
“I’ve read all of these, they’re all great books”↗
Claire McCaskill
“Very excited to see this play. I’m a book lover and this book was one of my first loves.”↗
J. K. Rowling
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