Read

[pen_grunt]

I read "To Kill a Mockingbird" to D on the way down to Arkansas.

I'd forgotten how lovely it is to read a whole book aloud (though much, much slower than just reading-reading to one's self). I don't do it often enough, though it does take a considerable amount of stamina to just do it for hours on end. Perhaps we'll take turns with "Go Set a Watchman" (the next planned).

Regarding "Mockingbird": I hadn't read it since I was 11. It holds up.

Eventually, at some point (before this re-read), I realized that Boo Radley wasn't black. But in my initial reading that point escaped me. There are several references to how white and pale he is from being cooped up inside the house...but I guess I assumed that was just to emphasize his confinement...as a black person?

I also never quite realized that it was Boo Radley who stabbed Bob Ewell. Somehow I read that part too quickly as a kid and got all confused about what exactly had happened.


Atticus Finch. Oh, how Tolerant he is. I didn't remember how much. It will be interesting (and perhaps crushing) to read "Go Set a Watchman" so close to the reading of "Mockingbird". We'll see.

Comments

[fontosaurus.livejournal.com]

Yeah, Mockingbird holds up great. I still read it every couple of years just because. I've got Watchman in my to-read pile but I've been pretty hesitant to dig into it. :-|

[pen-grunt.livejournal.com]

I have mixed feelings about Watchman, but I know my curiosity is going to get the better of me. I am worried about the Atticus issue because Atticus is SO great in Mockingbird.