To Kill a Mockingbird

By: Harper Lee

Narrated by: Sissy Spacek

Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins

Publisher's summary

Harper Lee’s Pulitzer prize-winning masterwork of honor and injustice in the deep south - and the heroism of one man in the face of blind and violent hatred, available now for the first time as a digital audiobook.

One of the best-loved stories of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird has been translated into more than 40 languages, sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, served as the basis for an enormously popular motion picture, and was voted one of the best novels of the 20th century by librarians across the country. A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father - a crusading local lawyer - risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

An Audible for Dogs Pick: Make your dog's day. Cesar Millan shares how audiobooks can make dogs happier and calmer. Learn more.

©1988 Harper Lee (P)2006 HarperCollins Publishers

Critic reviews

"It's good to be reminded of the power wielded by this classic of American literature. As the introductory music fades and Sissy Spacek begins her narration, we immediately enter the small town in the Deep South where all the timeless issues of kindness and cruelty, inclusion and prejudice are played out in a story told by a little girl named Scout. Instead of offering a range of accents, Spacek reads the story entirely in her own, or Scout's, voice. The choice works, for the book is written from Scout’s point of view, and Spacek has just the right level of Southern accent for easy listening. This is an unforgettable story well told. 2007 Audies Award Winner." (AudioFile magazine)

"Atticus Finch is a timeless American hero who has been played by the likes of Gregory Peck in film and Jeff Daniels on the stage. But in Sissy Spacek’s narration of To Kill a Mockingbird, it’s Harper Lee’s narrator, Scout, who becomes the listener’s moral guiding light and closest confidante. You forget you’re listening to the voice of an adult, so wholly do Spacek’s Southern rhythms embody the young tomboy as she witnesses the racial injustices of the Depression-era South unfold before her." (The New York Times Book Review)

Delightful store and marvelous narration

A delightful story revealing a heartwarming relationship between a father and his children, especially his young daughter. Also a beautiful picture of life in the south in 1930’s America, grappling with racial tensions. Highly recommended.

Perfectly presented

Any additional comments?

Sissy Spacek gave this book the narration it deserves. She brought this classic American Novel to life. Writing reviews is not my strong suit but this audio book is highly recommended.

MY ALL TIME FAVORITE BOOK!

I think I first read To Kill A Mockingbird at age 12 and have read it more times than I can remember. This is the first time I have listened to it and Sissy Spacek did a great job. I did some research on Harper Lee and found information that was new to me: I found her integrity fascinating. Whenever I get down about the state of our country, I read this book and know that even a few people with moral integrity and lack of prejudice can make a difference. Too bad those people are not in Congress. I also grew up in Georgia and was 12 in 1960 so I saw the civil rights fight first hand. How silly people with racial prejudice seem through the eyes of Harper Lee. I applaud her for her courage.

A Perfect Gem

I wrongly thought it might be a little out dated. How wrong was i. This is a little master piece. Just brilliant, as well was Sissy. This is the type of book that is for everyone. Just perfect. Dont hesitate to buy download and listen, well go on now, watcha wait'n for, Scout dares ya owl to doing it now or is ya scared to, Bo Ridley will getcha if ya dont. Haa Ha sorry couldnt help myself. I just loved this book

Sissy as Scout = Perfection

I cannot find enough words to praise the elegant, believable performance of Sissy Spacek reading this classic. This was a book I’d read before yet hearing her as Scout gave it an entirely different feel. I loved it so much and cried when it ended. The beautiful notes of this story, the bravery and innocence of Scout, the allegiance of Jem, and especially the understated goodness of Atticus made my heart soar. I will listen to this again. This may be one of my favorite narrations to date—and I listen to MANY books. So, so perfect. Thank you, Sissy!

A must!

So much of our American history and culture in this amazing book. A true classic.

Surprising

What did you love best about To Kill a Mockingbird?

These issues are still with us today. The constant judging of each other. Looking down our noses at our neighbors to make ourselves feel better. It takes you back in time to a place that people of my age have only heard about. To see the way whites treated blacks.

What other book might you compare To Kill a Mockingbird to and why?

The Help.

What aspect of Sissy Spacek’s performance would you have changed?

To be a good Narrator you must have Voice Inflection at the correct time. Every sentence seemed to be read at a pitch of importance making it difficult to differentiate between the ones of real importance and the mundane. She did grow on me though.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I thought the point by the teacher to compare the Nazis killing Jews and the treatment of blacks was poignant even though it was not dwelled upon. But the conviction by the Jury was also very moving.

Any additional comments?

The overall point of Judge Not Lest You Be Judged is what came through to me. Everyone is so concerned with what everyone else will think. It is a giant masquerade party. At the same time everyone is judging everyone else constantly. And then there was Atticus to really be the beacon of truth through it all.

There is no better story or performance. Period.

This is simply the best story ever written, told by the very best narrator possible for this tale. If there is such a thing as perfection, this is it. Bravo Harper Lee. Bravo Sissy Spacek. Brav-O.

What a narrator!

The story was not quite what I expected (expected more from the courtroom), but I still enjoyed it. The story might not be that special but Sissy Spaceks narration is among the best I have ever heard. She was the perfect choice for this book 🙂

Amazing piece of Literature

Narrorator was too slow for my liking, and I often had to speed up the playback.