If you are an avid reader then chances are that you have already read Harper Lee’s ‘To Kill A Mockingbird.’ If you are a new reader and asked someone for a recommendation then chances are that this book might be one of the recommendations you would have got. If not, well, you should definitely read it!
Harper Lee’s book has sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. The book speaks about prejudice, racial inequality and the social evils of the society. One of the best parts I remember is when a new teacher comes to the class of little kids and is expected to know about the social classes of the town. In my opinion the book is still extremely relevant even today as the problem of social classes still exists in some places of the world. The people do not break free from the chains in their minds.
It is considered to be a literary masterpiece, but what makes it so famous? Lets take a look.
- Paperback Revolution
The world was seeing the paperback revolution in the 1950s and books were becoming much more affordable than what they would have been a few decades before it published. Harper Lee’s book published at the right time. When the book was published in 1960, people were reading a lot more books and the number of readers had expanded.
2. Social Issues
One of the things that sets it apart is the fact that the Harper Lee was not afraid to portray the social evils of the society. The American Civil Rights movement was at its peak in the 1960s. This too helped market the book. The book is in a way a reminder of the past and how much people have suffered due to racism.
3. Essential reading in schools
To Kill A Mockingbird became an essential reading in schools. With thousands of children going to school every year and being taught using the book helped publicize it. With children growing reading it up and discussing it with their friends or people who had not read the book its fame grew. After all, word of mouth is probably the most powerful way of advertising something.
4. Pulitzer Prize
Harper Lee won the Pulitzer Prize for her work in 1961. Pulitzer Prize being one of the biggest awards in the literary world naturally boosted its growth. It definitely deserved the award.
5. The Movie Adaptation
Finally, what also makes the book famous was the movie adaptation of 1962. The movie starred Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch. Gregory Peck was one of the most followed actors back in the day. The movie won a lot of awards including the Oscars. This just cemented the books position as a masterpiece.
These were the major reasons that made To Kill A Mockingbird, the story that we all love so famous. And like I mentioned the book is just as relevant today as it was in the 1960s. So, if you haven’t read the book yet, definitely go read it.
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