This is and always will be one of my favourite books.

It’s rare to find a book that is written so simply yet so beautifully. It really will make you go through all the emotions as a reader.

I struggle to re-read books but this is about my fourth time now!

Reading the brilliant novel the age of this book is shown with some discriiptive language which sums up the predujice of America deep south in the 1930s. Heartfelt story of a family man raising his kids as a single parent and undertaking defending a coloured man. Really well written funny at times story which has lasted the test of time.

A classic story which is still completely relevant in 2020. I don’t think there is anything I can say that hasn’t been said before about To Kill a Mockingbird but the artwork for this anniversary edition is wonderful and I am happy to have had the chance to read this masterpiece once again. Recommend for everyone.

The fact that 'To Kill A Mockingbird' by Harper Lee is celebrating its 60th anniversary only emphasises the impact and influence this book has had on modern literature. There is a reason as to why this book is studied in secondary schools across the United States as well as other Western countries such as Australia. The issues that 'To Kill A Mockingbird' explores are still, 60 years on, relevant and important to the current social and cultural environment calling to attention the mechanics and structures of oppression, systemic racism and macro and microaggressions that many, if not all, African-Americans/black communities/people of colour/people of marginalised communities have to battle through every single day.

I have never read 'To Kill A Mockingbird' prior to being able to read this arc of the 60th anniversay edition. The storyline centres concentrates on the narration of Jean Louise 'Scout' Finch and her father, Atticus Finch, who is the lawyer defending Tom Robinson, an innocent black man who is falsely accused of raping a white woman. Though the pacing is quite slow as the story builds up to the main 'action' of the novel, that is, the trial itself, the writing does well in setting the scene as it is a historical fiction specific to the 1933-35 time period in the fictional Alabama town, Maycomb. It is also a coming-of-age story in which Scout eventually learns about the racial tensions (or dynamics? systems of oppression in her own town?) of her environment.

I do understand that this book was a product of its time but it still made me incredibly uncomfortable. The liberal use of the 'n word', outright violence and aggression towards black people, the various micro and macro-aggression was meant to demonstrate the historical period itself and the terrible people of it. But I have to be honest that I found it problematic that a white author wrote a story that was set out to portray a sort of 'white saviour' storyline. This entire book is created for a white audience, which is entirely obvious, because its story is about how the white characters eventually learn that racism exists and is actually quite terrible. Who would have thought.

The various black characters, such as Tom Robinson and Calpurnia, only exist in this story as objects. For white characters to somehow project their own emotions and opinions upon. They don't really have an agency of themselves and their characters are not developed outside of the fact that they are black. The almost constant description that the writing places on describing every and all black person became...an issue that I had as I did not understand the purpose of an almost over-description concerning the skin colour of various black characters that Scout observed as the white characters were not submitted to such description.

Scout is a well developed character, but she is the only depth of character given. Atticus was an interesting character, albeit a caricature of the white noble and good man, a crusader of justice I've seen him described as in other reviews. I do wish that there was more character development with other characters as it would have made this story a richer portrait of this historical country town in 1930s America.

First read this book as part of English class in school. Wonderful book, still as good as the first time I read it.
Everyone should read To Kill a Mocking Bird at some point in their life.

I don't know what I can say about this book that hasn't been said a million times already, but I'm glad that it's finally off my "to read" list and I'm glad that I've read it. It's not a book I covered at school, but I wish I had. Fully deserving of its place in the literary hall of fame.

o Kill A Mockingbird is a classic book that is as relevant today as it always has been. Written from a young girls perspective, “Scout” is a wonderful character. She sees the best in people and isn’t afraid to be her own person. Jem, her older brother is never far from her side and getting into mischief. Atticus is a great teacher to his children, with so many quotable phrases to help guide them gently along the right path. He tries to teach his children how to be respectful and compassionate whilst ensuring they don’t miss out on the fun of childhood. He is a very wise dad, and also the county’s lawyer.
When a controversial case is assigned to him we see Atticus take on his lawyer role to protect justice in an unjust world. The court scenes are tense and dramatic, and we see it all unfold from the perspective of his children. An innocent view of what is fair and what is right.
Although the central story is the court case, I would say the real gems are with the other characters that really pull on your emotions. Boo Radley, the man living next door who the children never see but are obsessed with. Calpurnica, the housekeeper, and her relationship with the children, her church, and Atticus. Mrs Dubois, the grumpy old lady who is tough on the childre

To Kill a Mockingbird is an incredibly poignant story that had me feeling so many emotions in such a short amount of times. The characters are so lovable and I'm so glad I got to read this book.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of the 60th anniversary copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is a 50th special edition book

A true classic story that may be older in years, but is so relevant for today's issues around the world.

Enjoyed reading this book for the only 2nd time, and I'm left wondering why only the 2nd?

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for ARC

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have once again enjoyed reading.
This is the 60th Anniversary Edition of “To Kill A Mockingbird” by Harper Lee. This book is as relevant today with the Black Lives Matter campaign as it was when it was first published. The storyline still flows as seamlessly today, the main characters as vivid as they were when first written. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and will remember its lessons for some time to come.
Highly recommended.

To Kill a Mockingbird is a modern classic, without doubt. This edition celebrates the sixtieth anniversary of its release and the fact it is still so relevant today is something to consider. Although I'd seen the film adaptation many times over the years, I didn't read this for the first time until a few years ago, probably within the last decade. As much as I have always loved the film, it omitted parts of the book that now seem quite crucial to the story. That said, the fact I enjoyed it so well shows it was a good adaptation because I didn't miss anything.

The story is told through the voice of young Jean-Louise Finch, familiarly known as Scout. She's a bit of a rough and tumble youngster, busy joining up with older brother Jem and regular summer visitor Dill when she's not reading with her father, local lawyer Atticus Finch. The story is really about Atticus and his defense of a black man accused of the rape of a white woman. It's all seen through Scout's eyes and reflects the innocence of childhood turning into a bit of knowing of how the world works, be it fair or not. The story begins with an accounting of Scout's world from when she was six, starting school and being told off for knowing how to read, and continues through summers to the one when Atticus takes on this case. Along the way, there's also the matter of local man Boo Radley and his mysterious life that intersects with those of the three children for a time.

This was my second reading of this book and I loved it this time as much as the first. I think it's a story that's worth rereading, especially in difficult times like we are in at the moment. It gives faith that there is decency to be found in humanity even though it's hard to see at times. I imagine there are many lawyers and others who have been inspired by the character of Atticus Finch and go out to try to make a difference, even if it might seem hopeless. This is truly one of the great books of the modern age.

I would like to thank Random House UK and Netgalley for sharing an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

*3.5

Lee sure does know how to write characters.

This well-known classic turns 60 this year, yet the themes and discussions explored are still unfortunately relevant to modern day.

To Kill a Mockingbird follows an alleged rape case of a white woman by a black man in the 30s, all through the perspective of the eight year daughter of the defence lawyer.

The novel discusses many important topics and shows the layers of both humans and society, in result eliciting many feelings. I feel like these are dealt very well, and I enjoyed the realistic rather than idealistic portrayal. Lee’s biggest strength is her characters. They are so well fleshed out and explored, they feel utterly real and I was just impressed by her skill in creating them. I especially loved Atticus and Jem Finch. Lee’s choice of narrator (Scout Finch) is the most unique and works so well, it’s a fascinating perspective. Not only are the characters fleshed out but so is the story with much history and detail, everything is so well thought out. Yet sometimes this can be too much and rather takes from the story.

Whilst I understand the love and celebration of the text, I personally can’t rate it more than three stars. This is because at times I found the text boring and I didn’t want to go back to it. Instead I was pondering dnfing it until I found the audiobook, which is what made me finish the book. If you’re thinking of reading this novel I recommend the audiobook. Furthermore, I found all the surrounding set up to sometimes be filler rather than necessary; and dredging, slowing the pacing and interest. But this may be due to my general mediocre feelings towards the genre and writing style.

Yet I understand the support and am glad that a novel by a woman discussing usually taboo topics with such an interesting narrator is so popular. So objectively this could be a four star but to me it isn’t at the same level to other four stars I have rated before. Overall, I found To Kill a Mockingbird difficult to rate but I am glad I’ve been able to expand my classics.

Jem and Scout Finch, with their lawyer father Atticus, live in Alabama, where poverty is rife, and in the hierarchy of residents, the blacks are very much the lowest of the low. When Atticus tries to defend a black man, Tom Robinson, on a charge of raping a white woman, their lives are inevitably going to change.

Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, is still a powerful read, even 50 years after it was first published. The effects of the Great Depression can still be seen in the town, with families like the Ewells living in a hovel, with no running water or sanitation. The lack of schooling for many contributes to the ignorance and racial prejudice demonstrated by a good proportion of the Maycomb residents. As with all good novels, there are differing views and opinions across the characters, similar to in real life, and as you delve further into their lives, Lee creates a fascinating insight into life in the Deep South in the 30s.

Sadly, there are elements in the book that are all too believable now, and, whilst ostensibly there are now equal rites for all, the prejudice still being shown towards the black population across the world would suggest otherwise. To Kill a Mockingbird should be compulsory reading for all students, as the injustices exposed within its pages are ones we should be learning from and correcting in our lives.

"Don't fool yourselves - it's all adding up, and one of these days we're going to pay the bill for it. I hope it's not in you children's time."

Oh, Atticus Finch. I could say I read this book <i>way too late</i>, but I think it happens to be one of those classics for which it doesn't really matter when you read them, they still manage to reverberate through your system with the truth they're speaking.

It's unlikely anyone at Random House knew just what kind of political climate this 60th anniversary edition was going to be released into, but I'm glad they did. If only so I could at last stop thinking Atticus Finch was the name of the villain. And have finally read a book where the choice of a child narrator didn't feel contrived but actually made everything come together.

I love this book so much. This is actually my second time of reading, and if possible, I loved it even more. Atticus Finch is my hero. Kind, mild mannered, and a perfect role model for his two adventurous children Jean-Louise “Scout” Finch age 8 (nearly 9), and Jeremy “Jem” Finch aged 12 who spend their days up to mischief in the neighbourhood, making up stories with their friend ‘Dill’ and sneaking into their neighbour, Boo Radley’s garden, real name Arthur Radley, who they never see in the flesh. When Atticus is handed a rape case to defend, the children’s quiet, playful world is turned upside down, add to the mix the fact that Jem is growing up and not playing with her much, and Scout is struggling to fit in to her world. The story is told completely from Scout’s POV, and let me tell you, for a nearly 9 year old girl, she sure has an old head on her shoulders. Wise beyond her years. The story is compassionate, and highly emotional, set in Macomb, Alabama in the 1930s, it deals with some deep seated Southern issues. A truly addictive story, that is at times highly distressing and upsetting, but the fact that it is told through the eyes of a very inquisitive ‘would be’ 9 year old ensures it has some moments of true humour. I loved the Finch family, and Calpurnia was just the icing on the cake.
Thanks to #NetGalley For giving me the opportunity to read and review this 60th anniversary edition.
#ToKillAMockingbird

Fantastic classic that I wanted to read for ages. It's timeless in its subject matter, and I'm sure it did and will touch many hearts.

Thanks a lot to NG and the publisher for this copy.

Really good read. Would recommend to friends and family. I could sympathise with characters (important for any fiction novel!) and looked forward to picking it up and reading the next few chapters! Interesting plot line and a good ending. Will look out for more novels by the author. Thank you.

I absolutely love this story and have done since I was at school. The tale told through the eyes of a child,seemingly immune to the prejudice that underlies every corner of the world she inhabits. The heroic Atticus provides such a beautiful peace in amongst the chaos and the questions asked of him by Scout, demanding for any parent, are dealt with in a compassionate tone. I kind of wish I had had a dad like Atticus!

The story is just as relevant today. Perhaps even more so. It gives a voice to the downtrodden and hope that the next generation will carry a light into the years to come.

Incredible book. In my opinion, a must read.

Fantastic as ever. I read this at school and many times since. It never gets old, and it is such brilliantly written book.

I was very grateful to receive this copy for the 60th anniversary of this book. I had tried to read it once before this year and only got a few chapters in and unfortunately, I couldn't get into it this time either.

I will not be marking the book low as I know and understand the reasons for others to have put it in such high regard, but no matter how much I try I cannot get through it.

Maybe one day I'll try again to read this book (or even try an audiobook of it!) but either way, I'm still very grateful for this opportunity and I know so many people will be so hyped to get this edition!