I have reread To Kill a Mockingbird at least half a dozen times and each time I find something new: another layer to a character that previously had gone unnoticed, a nuance in the language that I somehow overlooked, and perhaps an understanding of the delicate subject matter that comes with age. The first time I read it, (thank you, middle school) I viewed this book as a young girl's memories of her adventures with her brother. It is certainly this, but it's so much more! The book tackles the topics of racism, ageism, and classism within a small community in the deep south. Though difficult issues, Harper Lee's ability to insinuate these topics within an engaging narrative make for a delicious read that leaves the reader warm, not chilled. This is the book that I compare all other books to: perfect in its characterizations of human nature, pure in its storytelling. For me it is the gold standard. I'm looking forward to rereading it again.
Regarded as a masterpiece of American literature, this timeless story of growing up in the South became an instant bestseller when first published in 1960 and later was made into a classic film.