Review of To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

The book "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee published in 1960 is considered as one of the best books to read. Considering that this book is a Pulitzer Prize winning book and it was written in 1960s, it is written in a very simple language, easily understandable. I think the best thing about this book is its simplicity in every aspect - A complex concept put in simple terms, simple short names for characters, simple yet clear thoughts expressed through the story etc.

Scout and Jem are two young children growing up in Maycomb, Alabama. Their father Atticus Finch is a lawyer in the local court, their mother died soon after Scout was born. Atticus brings up the children in a sensible manner, though some of them don't go with the traditional way of bringing up children. This book is written as a narration by Scout alias Miss Jean Louise Finch.

One of the main curiosities of the children is surrounding the Radley House and Arthur Radley. The inmates of this house lead a secluded life and hence are a mystery to the neighborhood kids.

The life of the children gets disturbed when Atticus takes the place of defense lawyer for a Negro in the locality accused of raping a white girl. The neighbors aren't happy about it since the girl is white, though she belong to a family with bad reputation. This case brings out the prejudices against the Negros in the White community and Scout and Jem are also not spared in the school neither in the neighborhood or their own family. This particular case brings out the innocence in the children who are not biased about color an race. Scout and Jem are confused by the reaction of the people even when the truth is put bare in front of them. Atticus turns out to be a one man army holding against all these prejudices of the people based on race and class to get justice to the accused Negro Tom Robinson; the story does see him getting unexpected support from different people.

Another aspect put here is the way some people bring out the goodness that was hidden beneath them. The way some people stand out for others is marvelous. I think these are the touching parts of the story, making it as one of the best books to read. The end of the story is well concluded with a hero emerging out quite unexpectedly.

To conclude: The first few pages of this book are a bit confusing until we understand the characters but the rest of the reading is a simple joy.