I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what.
As spoken by the wonderfully wise, moral and kind Atticus Finch in the Pulitzer-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird (1960) by Harper Lee. I saw an adaptation of this at the Barbican theatre yesterday, with Robert Sean Leonard in the main role. Excitingly, a sequel to the book, Go set a Watchman, will be published later this month
Alex Raphael 
I read this book not too long ago… somehow, even though I’d heard about it for many, many years, I was late in reading it. Now I must see the movie, a classic, with Gregory Peck.
I’m looking forward to reading the sequel.
Presently, I’m reading a bio about Truman Capote, a childhood friend of Harper Lee. One of the children in the story was modeled on Truman, something I hadn’t known until this week.
There’s something about Southern writers. I love them.
Gregory Peck could not have been more perfect for the role. Capote must be a fascinating read. It wasn’t so long ago they made two films of his life in short succession.
I saw both, Alex. I’ve always liked Capote… he was an odd man, but there’s something vulnerable about him in spite of his waspish nature toward the end of his life. A production with Robert Morris playing Capote (called “Tru”) was shown on television about 20 years or so ago. Morris captured the vulnerability so well that I became quite intrigued with Capote.
Nice the Tru adaptation did such a good job. I’d not heard of it before.
Is that the opening line? It sure is a great quote. A wonderful classic–I love the play version, the book, and the film version. A perfect story.
Nope, not the first line. Really liked that post of yours though. This is my favourite line ever https://alexraphael.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/45/ I was reminded when watching the stage adaptation as Atticus makes a speech along the same lines.
Orwell, 1984! That screams to be read after the opening line, yes!
Really like the covers on this edition. You could do a post on book covers 🙂
Great idea!
One of my favourite books!
It really is wonderful. Are you excited about the sequel?
I had no idea that was going to happen! I hope it won’t be an anticlimax, Mocking Bird is so wonderful, in a way it sets up way too many expectations doesn’t it?!
No one did. Total shock to us all. I hope it doesn’t let us down. We’ve waited over 50 years after all!
Woah , No pressure then! Poor old Harper Lee, wouldn’t wish to be in her shoes but will certainly be reading the book!
Here’s hoping the cover is as nice too 🙂
🙂
Beautiful quote. Atticus Finch is the best.
Gregory Peck was born to play that role 🙂
yep, indeed… 🙂
I really don’t think any actor before or after could have done any better.
THE masterpiece – by definition and by excellence… 🙂
I need to re-read it again for sure.