Scout, Atticus and Boo
Mary McDonagh Murphy
2010
209 pages
Published by Harper
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FTC disclosure: I’m sure it’ll come as no surprise when you read that I bought this book. Unless, of course, you suffer from Groundhog Day syndrome.
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It’s hard to believe that To Kill a Mockingbird was first published 50 years ago. I know I read it in high school, although I have no memory of it (which is why I am currently re-reading it). However, I do remember the movie. I think I’ve seen it twenty times, although never in one sitting.
I was a substitute teacher for four years, and the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird is a favorite lesson plan for sick English teachers. Which is why I’ve seen it in 50 minute segments over and over and over again. Luckily, the last time was over 13 years ago, so the trauma has faded. Not that it’s a bad movie. On the contrary. But for someone who hates re-runs with a passion, watching the first 50 minutes of TKAM up to five times a day can be torture.
And yes, I’m going to tie that memory to the book that you thought I was posting about. See, this book is a collection of people’s thoughts and reminiscences about To Kill a Mockingbird, both the movie and the book. The people interviewed include Harper Lee’s sister, the actress who played Scout, lawyers, ministers and writers. Wally Lamb talks about the book’s relevancy, Oprah discusses the time she had lunch with Harper Lee, and Anna Quindlen explains why she loves Scout. The interviewees reflect on their favorite characters and some offer their opinions on why Harper Lee has never published another book.
This is a great companion read to To Kill a Mockingbird. I’ve enjoyed reading the books together and hearing other people’s thoughts on this classic book (and movie).
I’ve actually never seen the movie…
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This would be a perfect read along for my reread of To Kill a Mockingbird later this month. Thanks for sharing it!!
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I never heard of this book before, but it sounds like a great one to read when I pick up To Kill a Mockingbird again someday!
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What a cute name for the book. I watched a (different) Gregory Peck movie last night, which put me in the mood to sort of have a Gregory Peck film festival for myself….
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I know just the perfect person who I need to give this book to. Thanks! I also recently came across a drink to celebrate the 50th anniversary called the Tequila Mockingbird.
I just re-read TKAM over the weekend and I’m getting ready to start this one in a few days — can’t wait!
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I have to have it. What else is there to say really?
I’m one of those people so traumatized by seeing the movie over and over. It was a great movie, but all those sick English teachers made me watch the movie eleventy billion times, and I even saw a stage production. It put me off of reading the books for years because I couldn’t imagine I’d enjoy the story after seeing it performed so many times.
I was dead wrong. The book was awesome!
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I hate reruns too! Are you sick of listing your FTC note yet!? The concept of this reminds me of the book I keep meaning to buy, MY FIRST NEW YORK, which is also essays from all sorts of bigtime people on their first impression or story of the city arranged chronologically. hm maybe I can review them together, since NYC and TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD have both been huge in my life. Thanks for sharing.
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I know this book will be wildly popular, but I’m not sure it’s for me. I have my own memories of TKAM and I’m not sure I want to read other people’s. I feel like Debbie Downer with that comment.
So glad to see a review of this book! I was lucky enough to meet Mary Murphy at the ALA Annual Conference last month and hear her interview with Nancy Pearl regarding Murphy’s book and documentary. Looking forward to reading this!
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This sounds so good!! I think I want to read this after I re-read TKAM. I’m considering it my first read b/c I read it in 7th grade and don’t remember a thing about it!
Yes, why has Harper Lee not published another book? Would like to know the answer to that one!
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Oh …. how neat!! What a great companion piece to the original.
And I can imagine that watching the same movie over and over again is a terrible fate!
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Mercy, seeing any film that many times would be enough to put me off for life. I’m surprised you are still fond of the book! And I love the look of this book – I am a sucker for personal reminiscences, although I am ruthless about skimming over any that start to bore me. :p
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Call me a cynic, but I don’t really care what people like Oprah think about TKAM. While she is cool, I enjoy hearing regular people’s thoughts on it and the discussions that they lead to.
I used to have it on my DVR and in a way, I can relate to you being worn out on the first 50 minutes or so. That is about the time it took me to fall asleep at night watching it, night after night. (Not that it is boring at all, just that it was late)
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I hope to re-read Mockingbird sometime soon, and I think it would be fun to do book, movie, and this book all back to back. Thanks for the inspiration.
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This book sounds like it would be fun to read as a companion to TKAM. I don’t have great memories of TKAM because I read it as part of an English class that I hated. I think it deserves a second chance, soon.
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Oh I am intrigued – I think I would like this collection!
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Wow, this book definitely is riding the 50th anniversary waves! I know it’s good, though; and deserves it. I did have to read “to Kill a Mockingbird” in HS, and as part of the cirriculum we saw the movie also. I have my own (old) copy of this book — so I know I read it at least once other than in high school. I’m sure I’m one of many people considering re-reading this soon!
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Put me in the group that doesn’t really want to know what the rich and famous think of TKAM. Glad it worked for you and that others are excited about the book. I think I’ll pass.
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I’ve never seen the movie! I am not really a big movie person though. I love the idea of reading this book as a companion.
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