To Kill a Mockingbird is definitely one of those books I read and instantly thought ‘WHY DID I NOT READ THIS SOONER?!’ I feel certain that, had I read it a few years ago, it would have been an ultimate favourite. As it is I still loved it, and I think I held back that one star because of my personal headspace when I did read it (in the midst of 2.5 weeks non-stop work), which meant it took me almost a week to read it and I think it’s the kind of book that would have made an bigger impression on me read more intensively.
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I loved all the characters in this novel, Scout and her uncompromising, bold nature, Atticus was just wonderful, poor Tom, Boo Radley... they were all exquisitely written and Lee makes you feel like you know them all within just a few pages.
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And of course, she depicts small town racism and prejudices all too well. It always makes me so upset and angry to read a book addressing these themes from a while ago and realise that these prejudices are still all too real. Lee portrayed Atticus’s feeling of helplessness heartbreakingly well, as he tried his best to do the right thing but ultimately couldn’t beat the ingrained prejudices of a town which took matters into their own hands.
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I did think some parts slowed down a bit too much, but again that may have just been the pace I was reading it at, who knows! But ultimately I really enjoyed it, and it’s always great finally reading a firm universal favourite and finding you feel the magic too!