I remember reading it as a pre-adolescent; a paperback edition of it was on sale at a Connecticut festival that my parents used to take me to, and my mother told me, "That's a book you really should read." I remember enjoying it at the time, but, beyond the basic plot (which most people know, thanks to the movie), have no real remaining impression of the language used, the poetry of expression, a phrase or scene that was indelibly branded onto my psyche. As opposed to Truman Capote's "In Cold Blood", which I read at the same time, and which remains one of the most memorable, powerful books I ever read (even though some of it...maybe a lot of it...was made up by Capote). I sometimes I should reread it again as an adult, but there's only so much time in a life and so many other books to read.

Manifestly over-rated book, that gives a lot of simpletons erections over its supposedly revelatory notions of social justice. In point, it is no more than a mediocre novel, exploring themes that have been explored with more clarity and sophistication dozens of times, both before its publications and since. I don't support banning it, but I'd damn sure suppport restricting the undeserved enthusiasm about its alleged values.

I would support banning this book. Various women's book clubs keep "rediscovering" it, getting the vapors about it, and boring the sh*t out of the rest of us.

Covering your ears and eyes will get you nowhere, but some people still try.

They actually banned this in some places?  It was required reading in my high school.

Banning this one? A person should be handed over to the Taliban for stoning. . .

Oh come on! Subject matter made you feel a lil' uncomfortable or guilty? If this gets torched, it's only fair that we get to burn Bob Jones U. pamphlets, Billy Ray Cyrus cd booklets, and gun catalogs too.

Like no other book I have ever read, this story (based on many of the true life experiences of the author) demonstrates the evil of prejudice and ignorance. As an American, I refuse to rewrite and/or ignor my country's history, in all it's poignant beauty and tyrannical injustice. How else can we learn to better ourselves if we do not learn from the past?

This book is nothing but a bag full of profanity and racial slurs with the demonic spirit of white supremacy!!!

This is another book that takes the readers back to another era. I like that it is seen through a little girls eyes. Scout lives with her lawyer dad Atticus Finch a kind compassionate man who defends a black man who was unfairly accused of rape. very well written book. Good thing this was not successfully banned. Gives a good history of how things were back in teh depression era south.

The old saying, Those who do not learn from the past are doomed to repeat it, is oh so true. This book is a prime example of what hate, intolerance, and bigotry can do to damage the human condition. To ban any book, even the ones we disagree with, is criminal. All points of view must be heard in order to make an intelligent informed decision about anything or any topic.

This is such a brilliant novel that addresses so many important issues.

Again, just like Huck Finn. How could this have been singled out? Such a great story.

I have just read this book for the fifth time. In my class, which is about 50% white and 50% black, each student has opened up to a new awareness of how race has affected who we are in society; past and present... It is so moving when I see students debating about issues from this book because they are discovering a part of who they are as people and learning what people were like in the past.

I read this book after seeing the film at about age 8. I've read it many times again (I literally don't know how many), and I never get tired of it.It's a great book, Harper Lee is a great writer, and I urge people to read it. It is SO worth it. If you can't read the book, at least see the film. One of Gregory Peck's best roles.

I would just like to comment on the review posted below. The fact that this book has a sad ending has less to do with it being a classic than that the story is based on reality. Harper Lee wrote about real events. Sheesh.

Although the book was slightly interesting at times, I was shocked by its depressing ending. Sad endings are a bad trend in what many call 'classic literature.' I mean, come on, how about everyone is cleared, and the last chapters shows everyone talking on the road and someone makes a joke, causing everyone to laugh. That's CLASSIC, not this. (On a side note, I do enjoy the movie to a point, because of Gregory Peck's incredible acting in the courtroom scene. Also look for Star Trek alumnus Brock Peters!)

How could you ban this book? It shows the true ugliness of racism and how nasty the South (at that time, mind you) could be to the African-American community. This book shows the truth and how the friendship between Atticus and Tom was color blind in every sense of the word.