Iconic Story

Harper Lee's novel is an iconic read that you will remember vividly from the day you read it. Set in the South where racism and prejudices still run rampant, the novel mainly focuses on Scout and Boo Radley, characters you are not likely to forget anytime soon. Scout, a rascally young girl, and Boo, her reclusive and mysterious neighbor, force the reader to reexamine their instant reactions and judgments of those they meet.

I first read this book as a high schooler and even in my teenage angst, I was immediately captivated and excited to continue reading. I strongly identified with Scout's bewilderment at discovering who she is, separating herself from her peers and other outside influences and remaining true to her beliefs and those who truly love her. Lee manages to pinpoint true human emotion and the real life reactions of people in complicated life situations. She immerses her incredibly relatable characters into situations that most of us would have trouble enduring and forces her readers to consider how they would behave and react in similar situations.

The ultimate coming of age novel, the books translates across generations, regions and the human experience. It's an absolute must read for anyone who claims to be a well read book lover. It's also a quick read that offers lots of potential for conversation and discussion surrounding how we interact with those who are different than us, even those who may initially frighten us. It's a story of overcoming the odds and discovering the person within. With luck, the reader will be able to do this for themselves as well.