This is the all-time favorite book of my daughter – Alexa. Further, this is on the summer reading list for my son, Samuel. I always like to read whatever it is that my kids are reading; so, this one got added to the list and I am oh so glad it did. The tale is marvelously written and introduced me to the concept of a man whom I would like to model as the goal for many personal characteristics – Atticus Finch. The story is based in a time when blacks were legally free, but far from legally equal. During such a time, Atticus quietly and consistently stood for what was right. He did this for no other reason than the fact that he believed it was the right thing to do. Though I hate the atrocities of our past, I love everything about this book. It not only inspires me, it causes me to examine myself for bigotries, false pretences and impure motives that I may be blind to. This book is now a top 10 of all time for me.
A few quotes that I marked along the way include:
- You are too young to understand it, but sometimes the Bible in the hand of one man is worse than a whiskey bottle in the hand of – oh, your father. – Miss Maudie
- People in their right minds never take pride in their talents – Miss Maudie
- With him, life was routine; without him, life was unbearable. – mind of Scout (the book’s narrator)
- I said I would like if very much, which was a lie, but one must lie under certain circumstances and at all times when one can’t do anything about them – mind of Scout
- Our nightmare had gone with daylight, everything would come out all right. – mind of Scout