Lee Child, the bestselling author behind the iconic Jack Reacher series, isn’t shy about sharing his literary loves. And when it comes to his all-time favourite, one book stands above the rest.
In his own words, it’s “the greatest legal thriller ever written.” The novel? None other than Harper Lee’s 1960 masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird.
Named as his number one choice in Waterstone’s Writer’s Table list of his top 40 books, this classic has clearly left a lasting impression on the Coventry-born writer. But what makes it so special, and why does a man known for his hard-hitting thrillers and gripping crime sagas rank this tale of racial injustice at the top?
Set in the sleepy town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, To Kill a Mockingbird is told through the innocent eyes of Scout Finch. Alongside her brother Jem and their curious friend Dill, Scout becomes fascinated by their reclusive neighbour, Boo Radley.
But the heart of the story revolves around her father, Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer who takes on the daunting task of defending Tom Robinson – a Black man wrongfully accused of raping a white woman.
Through this explosive courtroom battle, Harper Lee doesn’t just tell a story; she challenges the deeply entrenched racial prejudices of the American South. It’s a tale that exposes the ugly truths of society while celebrating courage, integrity, and humanity.
The courtroom scenes are electrifying, brimming with drama as Atticus battles against bias, hatred, and a jury set on upholding the status quo.
Since its release, To Kill a Mockingbird has received global acclaim. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961 and has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
Its powerful themes of racial injustice, moral courage, and the loss of innocence have cemented its place as one of the most influential novels of the 20th century.
But it wasn’t just the book that made history. The 1962 film adaptation, starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch not only earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor, but took home the prizes for Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Black-and-White, and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium for Horton Foote.
It was nominated for five more Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
Although part of a recent controversy due to what some consider to be offensive language, over six decades later, To Kill a Mockingbird remains a staple in schools across the globe, where it’s studied for its powerful commentary on humanity.