To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee | Classic Fiction | Maham Reviews

To Kill a mockingbird: Maham Reviews

Written by Harper Lee, who was born in 1926 in Alabama, and published in 1960, only to win a Pulitzer Prize year later. To kill a mockingbird is one of only two published novels by Ms. Lee.

A story narrated from the perspective of Jean Louise Finch, a daughter to Atticus Finch and a sister to Jem Finch, is a life story, well not literally, but we could say a fraction from her life, which is beautifully analyzed from little pretty Scout's eyes (Jean). Throughout the given part of her life she deals with a lot of mysterious things and it is basically a journey of her transformation from being a careless - boyish - Scout to responsible Ms. Atticus Finch. 

Being a Scout, her cool and trusting father's loved daughter and companion to her brother in all of his adventures, she is very unfeminine for her era. Set up in early 1930s, book uncovers the problems of that time like racism and social disparity. But owing to the displayed time, the society and culture portrayed in it is also heart warming and very unlikely like ours; where everyone know and own each other. They are helpful and kind, which is a missing factor in our society today.

"There is a tragedy in this book, besides its faint notion of hope for human nature; and it is delightfully written." 

- Sunday Times

Jem and Scout are brought up by their colored housekeeper, Calpurnia, as their mother had died when they both were very young. Calpurnia has already given up on Scout and does not hope to see her carrying herself gracefully; in a lady like manner. Although, everything was going as according to Scout unless her aunt; Ms. Alexandra came to live with them and unveiled a nightmare for Scout.

Atticus Finch is a loving father as well as a lawyer in Maycomb town of Alabama; where they all live. He fought against the whole town and defended a colored man from false allegations and what follows such event, changed her life completely. 

Ironically, in a part two of it, or we can say it is, Go set a Watchman, Atticus finch's dark side is shown. But fortunately or unfortunately, To Kill A Mockingbird is more well known and considered as a classic. Unlike, the second dark one. To Kill a mockingbird is surprisingly, a classic without any romantic, utopian or dystopian touch. Its simple and raw nature makes it unique. Although, the second part was actually the real storyline submitted by Harper in 1956, but when asked by production house to add more information about Scout's childhood perspective, she dedicated two more years and came up with this book and honestly, I am so glad they did it. And realizing how much big success the improved idea was and not much her first one, it gave me hope that sometimes it is better when things don't work out the way we want them to be. 

Ratings: ★★★★

It was a bit slow paced for me and at times, I felt some unnecessary details were given but isn't it how child's mind works? They notice even the little and stupidest things at times and this is what it made it what it is; beautifully happening.

Genre: Domestic Fiction, thriller, Social issues.

Age: Teenage to adults; finally an all rounder book.