Amy, over at Hope is the Word, hosted a challenge in honor of 50 years of "To Kill A Mockingbird." Not remembering anything of the book from the required read in junior high, I decided to join in.
I was surprised and disappointed. Surprised? First off, surprised that I was required to read a book with this content in 8th grade. I'm sure I didn't have any real grid in my little 8th grade mind to appreciate this story back then. Secondly, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly Lee made me fall in love with Scout, Jem, Atticus and Cal.
Disappointed? Fictional stories with such real possibility of being true which include themes that break my heart, leave me feeling sad. I finished the book and simply felt sad. I have to say that I don't read for fun to feel sad, no matter how good the book is, the author is, or the story is. I've had enough and seen enough sadness in real life. So, though I highly recommend the book on the basis of writing and characterization, I have a hard time telling you to read a sad book that might leave you feeling sad in the end! Silly, I know. I obviously won't be getting any calls for writing book reviews!! :-) Overall, I'm glad I reread the classic. And that made me happy. Happy Tuesday.
3 comments:
Prejudice is sad. And, although predudice is still just as real, and alive, as it was when the book was written - a similar outcome to such a court case now, would be shocking. That's happy, isn't it?
So glad you re-read it! It's funny to think that we read it for the first time as young teens, isn't it? Perspective is an amazing thing.
I enjoyed reading your thoughts!
I know what you mean about sad books. That's kind of how I feel about reading fiction that makes me think. When I do read it, I often appreciate it, but I still think, "I read enough non-fiction to make me think. Fiction is for turning off my brain!"
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