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To Kill a Mockingbird: rereading by special assignment

Lots of people I know like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. But My friend Ashlee Burton is the biggest fan of the book that I know. So, when I heard that there was a sequel coming out, I brought it to her attention.

But you know how it is: when you love a book so dearly that you reread it regularly and consider naming your children after it and such, and then, out of the blue, a sequel is announced. . . . And then you find out that there are some dubious circumstances surrounding the release of this unexpected sequel (namely, Harper Lee's older sister, who was her lawyer and chief privacy protector, passed away not long before the announcement). Well, considering all this, Ashlee said to me, "I just want you to read the sequel for me, then tell me if I should read it."

I was happy to oblige. But I thought I'd better start with a reread of To Kill a Mockingbird, before I went on to Go Set a Watchman. I think that if I read TKAM right before, I'll stand a better chance of experiencing the sequel in the way that Ashlee would. Whereas I've only read it once before, Ashlee has read it many times.

So. Yesterday I started the reread. Right now I'm on Chapter 14.  Aunt Alexandra has thoroughly invaded the house and Dill has just showed up unexpectedly. My thoughts thus far:

1. This book is so good. Soooo goood. I mean, I remember it being good. But it's soo goood. 

2. It's easier for me to pay attention to all the little awesome things, since this is my second time through and I kind of remember how things turn out. Not much, I mean, I had forgotten that Jem and Dill and Aunt Alexandra even existed, but still I remembered the plot in a rough way. 

3. I'm paying special attention to Atticus, and he's just great, isn't he? Ashlee asked me to look particuarly at Atticus in Go Set a Watchman -- if the sequel changes his character or vilifies him or anything she doesn't want to read it.  

Ok, I'll post again when I can. If you've read Go Set a Watchman, don't tell me what happens! Because although I heard a lot about it before publication, I've managed to avoid all reviews of it, so as not to taint my perspective in any way. 

Tell me though, if you could have someone else read a book on your behalf, which one would you pick?
Marie, myself, and Ashlee, at the baby shower for Jubilee.

2 comments:

  1. I wish someone could have read The Silmarillion for me. That was a loooong book! I wasn't a huge fan of TKAM, and was sort of surprised when my daughters had to read it in high school! It was sort of new when I was forced to read it. There are a lot of people who love it, though. What a great way to help out a friend!

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  2. I just read TKAM for the first time last year when I was homeschooling. Then she headed to HS and read it again! She definitely noticed different things, I've wondered if I should reread. Actually this is one I'd request because I just read the first and have heard mixed reviews, thanks Ashlee! I'd also request classics, because some I love and some I hate.

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