As one of the world greatest novels, with sales of over 30 million copies, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and a classic of modern American literature. I had planned for this book for many years and finally got to it.
I am usually not big fan of novels made of primarily literature material, but rather toward more scientific, non-fiction, poetry and spiritual books. What changed my minds to reconsider was another book by titled The Alchemist, where I will write a review about soon.
Back to this book. I started and had no idea what kind of book this is going to be. I spent the first few chapters getting acquainted with
southeastern American accent. For me the accent was so strong that I was rewinding every few often but eventually I got used to it.
The story revolved around a town in Alabama called Maycomb. A small town in a dark period of the US history. A period, when heard, you would think and hope was so far in the past and many centuries ago. But it is really 1933-35 that the story took place making it less than a century ago.
In the center of the story a man Atticus who has 2 children living in a racist environment. Racist in terms of how you look, talk, treat and call the black people. It was very difficult just to listen to some of the words that were told to imagine how you could live in that time.
However Atticus a wise man, managed to stand up for justice, and fairness throughout his life.
His fairness didn't extend toward black through their struggle to be free and be treated fairly but also toward his fellow people who treated black the way they did.
This is told in the story in the way Atticus raised his two children. The children had a black nanny and thought of her as a mother or big sister, were astonished to find later on in the lives how black people are treated by their fellow whites neighbors thus leaning sometimes to criticize or hate this attitude, however, Atticus was always patient and never lost his temper nor his wisdom kept explaining to them that sometimes you are driven by your emotions based on the social and culture you are grown in and not because you are a bad person.
The attitude that Atticus showed in the story was exemplary of great leader.
As one prime distinction and characteristic of a leader is to form his/her own opinion regardless of the atmosphere they are in. To fight for justice despite haltered and unfairness even if your life was on the line. To manage to take action, yet to keep your cool and never lean toward revenge or violence even for the people who hurt you or hurt others.
The story finished leaving me with a feeling of wanting to meet this man, Atticus and tell him how much we need him today and for our future generation.
Having said that, Harper Lee achieved a mission in this book of providing you with glimpse into the American history while personalizing it though a man in his struggle to fight for justice and fairness..
Mounir
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