What a shame that Harper Lee only published two books. Her writing is just perfection. She has an amazing blend of beauty, humour, reality, harshness, innocence and darkness which she balances perfectly. Harper is also very skilled in saying a lot, with minimal words. Whilst reading this book I took notice of how every word in the book is vital, she does not waste any words on unnecessary dialogue, descriptions or filler.
This book follows on from To Kill a Mockingbird, with the same main characters – Atticus Finch and Scout. (Jem has died during the years in between both books). Scout is now an adult working in New York who returns each year to spend time with her ageing father.
The book covers some serious issues relating to equal rights, and how this is viewed and managed differently in different parts of America. The serious of these issues is balanced with Scouts naivety, innocence and belief in a better society.
Harper explores a number of relationships between the characters in this book and how unequal they are. Often with one person giving a lot more, and the other taking. It looks at how people can be blinded by their own beliefs and not be able to see the harsh world that is actually around them.
A beautifully written novel that explores, very thoroughly and successfully, a number of themes that are still relevant today. (Despite the book being published in 2015, it was actually written before To Kill a Mockingbird).
Almost perfect. I give it 4 1/2 stars – I do believe that Mockingbird is the better novel, but will round it up to 5 stars for the rating.
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