We really know a man ...

Three years of the life of a child, Scout, in a small town in the United States South, full of social and religious prejudices. Its games with his brother. His relationship with his father Atticus (copy of righteousness and tolerance), with neighbors. Then failover at trial where Atticus defends a black unjustly accused of rape.

The very strong novel, writing is simple and straightforward, humorous, like the eyes of Scout. The characters are engaging and we discover through the eyes of the child, as and when it grows, the incidents show him their true personalities, their pettiness and their sizes, their secret complexity beyond appearances ,. I think this is the essence of the novel because, as Atticus tells Scout and Jem to: we really know that when a man gets into his skin.

I found criticism from some on the supposedly slow first part unjustified: literature is also the pleasure of the atmosphere layout, atmospheres. Not everything has to be submitted to the diktat of sensationalism and speed, like on TV!
Another note, compared to the over-maturity Scout and Jem: if you explore the literature of the 50s or before if you ask people over 70 years, you will discover that the children were often high "roughing "In any case subject to a more demanding education and they actually earned more quickly mature. The Child phenomenon that extends through the preteen and teen and teen lingered a Tanguy is a recent phenomenon!

In short, this novel of initiation is to read and read to your children to 10-12 years for both them discover the complexity of the world and give them models greatness and dignity.