Favorite new book read in 2015 
 7-19-15 
 There's so much going on in this book I don't even know where to begin. Since this was a rejected work made prior to To Kill a Mockingbird, I went into this expecting to be disappointed but was disappointed; this was excellent. 4.5 stars. I was teetering between four and five, but I can't give it the fifth. This story has great bones, but it's in need of a bit of polish by a good editor. Some facts should be updated for the sake of continuity, e.g. details of the rape trial which is clearly the Tom Robinson case. 
 I've seen debates as to whether or not this is really a sequel, and I'm casting my vote as "yea." I don't think Atticus' racial views are out of character with his Mockingbird persona. It may seem that way on the surface, but it's explained well in the book. At least I was satisfied. Whether or not I like it is immaterial; it doesn't strain my suspension of disbelief. Oddly I'm indifferent regarding that particular turn of events for the story wasn't really about that. That's just what the media jumped on and tried to make a circus of as it's wont to do much like the current kerfuffle over the Confederate battle flag. It's odd that this book came out right when that was going on, and so soon after the Ferguson and Baltimore incidents. As I live in Richmond, VA and people are up in arms on each side and preparing to refight the Civil War here over the flag and some of our monuments, I could relate to a lot of the subject matter in this book. The ignorance over the issue is astounding, but I was very pleased to see uncle Jack hit the nail on the head when talking about the Civil War, Reconstruction, and the Brown vs. Board of Education decision. I won't go into details here lest I be typing for the next three days, but I encourage you to read the book, particularly chapter 14. It sums up the south better than I ever could, and it's still the same today psychologically. Be it right or be it wrong, the matter stands the way it's presented here. 
 As for Atticus' views on race, they're not at all out of place for a man his age in the 1950s, nor was his involvement in the KKK out of character. (See my review of The Clansman for an explanation). The views might be vile, or you may think they're spot on, but one thing this book makes abundantly clear is that nothing about this subject is simple. Nothing can be summed up in a single reason. It's actually quite a breath of fresh air in this world that tries to simplify things down to a single cause or event, e.g. the Confederate battle flag stands for racist hate and nothing else. (May as well say the American flag stands for Japanese internment and nothing else). This is an excellent period piece that explores all the nuances involved and multiple viewpoints. The reader gets to decide which team he wants to be on. I could relate to different aspects of each character's opinion myself. I especially related to Jean Louise's umbrage at the abuse of the 10th amendment and the corrosion of our system of checks and balances which 60 years later is a sick joke with judges legislating from the bench on a regular basis and an executive doing the same from wherever he is with his pen and cell phone. Whether the actions they take are good or not it's done illegally. That sets bad precedence, and nobody is holding them accountable... I better move on before I get upset. Back to the book. 
 Even though it was published in 2015, it was written around 1955, and to judge it by 21st century standards is unfair. However, I will say I don't think the world in 1955 would've handled it very well as the race relations portion is quite heavy. I think it's great it came out, but also great it waited 60 years to do so. The world is more prepared for it today. 
 Enough social commentary. That part's all fine and good, but where the novel shines is the conflict and character development for Jean Louise (Scout). Her world is turned upside down. The man she revered as a God turns out to be flawed as does almost everyone else she comes in contact with. Each of them pick a side on an issue, but they're opposite sides. She's lost; she doesn't know what to do. Nothing in this novel is simple for her much like real life. Sometimes there just aren't any good choices to make; a sacrifice must be made somewhere. Pride? Humility? Do you stand for your convictions, or make concessions? These are things she has to wrestle with, and I was bent around the axle about it all myself while reading. I didn't know which way I wanted her to turn. I simultaneously wanted her to stick it to the man and make up. This is the hallmark of great writing. 
 There are also several amusing side stories in this novel from Jean Louise's youth. The episode where Jem, Dill, and Scout were playing revival was an absolute scream. However, these episodes were cobbled together in a way that made the narrative feel disjointed which is something that was corrected in Mockingbird. Like I mentioned, a good editing could've fixed a lot of this. 
 Another awesome thing about this book is all the references to any old thing. They're peppered throughout from start to finish, especially when uncle Jack takes the stage. There might be too many, but a nerd would have a field day trying to find all of them, and making the appropriate connection. I didn't always know what the hell was going on, but I knew it was a string that led back to something else happening elsewhere in the real world. 
 If you can view history objectively, then I think you should read this provided you have an interest in the South during the 1950s and race relations. However, if the word nigger offends you to the point that you can't even objectively read something that contains it, then you need to leave this alone. I explain that reasoning further in my Huckleberry Finn review, so see that if you care. Also, if you enjoy a good story, good prose, conflicting emotions, and the like, then I think you'd like this as well. It's a little rough, but still quite good. Check it out. I so want to give this five stars, but like I said it's in want of sanding and polish.