Tuesday, July 07, 2009

To kill a Mocking Bird



I started looking for good books as soon the holidays started, but somehow I wasn't able to get a hand on one. Everyone (yes, everyone who wants to be someone.) was reading the trashy 'Twilight' books ( if can call them books) around me - some, even desperate enough to read photo-copied versions when they weren't able to get a hand on original ones. But I didn't even want to hover near those books. The book blurb was enough as a proof of what that book actually revovled around.

Anyhow, I finally found a good book while going through my small (very small, I think, though my mother would disagree!) book collection. It was "To Kill a Mocking Bird" by Harper Lee. It was a part of my sister's literature course in her O levels. The book blurb made it sound dull and the book cover didn't help : a plain and black front with a yellow-outlined bird sitting underneath the title "To Kill a Mocking Bird". Even the title made it sound boring because I thought it sounded like some really serious and deep book, that would discuss 'serious issues in a serious way'. *laughs* Yeah...really. I once came across this book in the school library, "The Crow-eaters". I wasn't inclined to read it for the same reason because I thought it would be about serious, social issues or too mystical and idiotic like the "Alchemist". Speaking of the Alchemist...I still don't understand how people quote from that book. It was horrible book that made no sense whatsoever. I don't know about the Crow-eaters though. It might turn out to be just as good as "To kill a mocking bird". Reminds me of that old saying: "Don't judge a book by its cover". And its funny how we always do.

However, the lack of choice in my library finally compelled me to pick up the "dull-looking, black" book. But that turned out to a blessing in disguise! Because the minute I began reading it, I felt excited and increasingly curious, particularly about the mysterious "Boo Radley". He greatly intrigued me and I was drawn to the book in pretty much the same fashion as Dill was drawn towards the "Radley house"; like the "moon draws water" to be precise. The entire book was so good, infact, that I got stuck to it night and day. It was beautifully written, with great symbolism and humor scattered all over the novel. Atticus's lines were so profound and on the mark, Scout's innocent observations were amusing, Dill's exxagerations were just hilarious and Jem's emotional side was truly touching.

"Someone rare has written this very fine novel", said Truman Capote at the back of the book, and I couldn't help but nod my head in approval (vigorously!) at the end of the novel.


'Shoot all the Bluejays you want if you can hit 'em, but remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird.' ~ Atticus Finch

1 comment:

Ikram Hadi said...

I read it two years ago. It is good.