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Remembering Scout

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Recently, a signed first edition of To Kill a Mockingbird sold for nearly $10,000 at Abebooks.  The novel celebrated 50 years in print in 2010.  It is one of the most revered books in American literature and still resonates with many readers today.

"I can honestly say I learnt more about human rights from To Kill a Mockingbird than all the law books in the world. I first read it when I was 12, then studied it at school. So much of what I believe about people and values is promoted in the simple but powerful story of Atticus Finch, who tirelessly defends a black man in the Deep South on the false charge of rape. At its heart it's really about three basic values: dignity, equality and fairness." 

Shami Chakrabarti, Human-rights lawyer and director of Liberty


Comments

  1. TripplerJune 3, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    Great post.

    Makes me wonder if this shouldn't be our next reading. I'm going thru Downey (re Perkins), am troubled by its small print, and find it a tad dull. But will keep at it as long as I can.

    I remember reading Lee in high school. The movie with Gregory Peck was awesome as well.

    ReplyDelete
  2. James FergusonJune 3, 2011 at 6:06 PM

    If there is more interest in Mockingbird, I'm fine with that.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousJune 9, 2011 at 9:38 AM

    Okay that was bosox18d/jabel and thanks James for pointing that out.I was getting an endless cycle of back to the password page trying to post under my moniker the past week.Wonder if this all goes back to the Google/Facebook thing

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousJune 9, 2011 at 9:40 AM

    Posting as Bosox.As I tried to say several times the past few days I don't recall ever having to read To Kill a Mockingbird in HS and I've only seen the film.

    ReplyDelete
  5. James FergusonJune 9, 2011 at 10:02 AM

    Will send you a new author confirmation, bosox and robert.

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 10, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    bosox again.I re registered and get the same deal when I try and post under my google ID.Something really messed up on them so at least this works.I'll see if I can actually post a new heading under the google id soon.

    ReplyDelete
  7. TripplerJune 11, 2011 at 2:25 AM

    Found a copy of "Mockingbird" at the library - very quick reading, too. Will have to watch the movie again. Here it is online for free:

    http://www.movie2k.to/To-Kill-a-Mockingbird-watch-movie-603920.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. TripplerJuly 2, 2011 at 11:51 PM

    Still reading "Mockingbird" and am on page 253. Boy, does this bring back memories.

    Did anyone else read the book again?

    ReplyDelete
  9. avrdsJuly 3, 2011 at 12:19 AM

    I picked up a copy, but haven't had time so far to read more than the opening (which is fantastic).

    ReplyDelete
  10. TripplerJuly 6, 2011 at 4:24 PM

    Finally finished the book. What an outstanding piece of literature!

    Does anyone know if this gem is still being used in high schools like we had back in the late 60s? It remains as striking and enlightening as ever. I'm so glad to have read it again.

    Perhaps it is time for me to re-read some old classics as they are timeless.

    ReplyDelete
  11. James FergusonAugust 20, 2011 at 12:44 PM

    Agree Trip! I have to read it again after watching the movie with my wife and small daughter the other night. The little one really enjoyed it, identifying with Scout and caught up in the mystery surrounding Boo. Had to be one of Robert Duvall's first roles. The film was very well done.

    The LOA collection of Flannery O'Connor finally arrived. Plan to read Wise Blood.

    ReplyDelete

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