• To Kill a Mockingbird

  • By: Harper Lee
  • Narrated by: Sissy Spacek
  • Length: 12 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (46,440 ratings)

Prime logo Prime members: New to Audible?
Get 2 free audiobooks during trial.
Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
To Kill a Mockingbird  By  cover art

To Kill a Mockingbird

By: Harper Lee
Narrated by: Sissy Spacek
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $25.19

Buy for $25.19

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Editorial review


By Mysia Haight, Audible Editor

TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD REMAINS TIMELY FOR CONFRONTING THE REALITIES OF RACISM, BRUTALITY, AND INJUSTICE IN AMERICA

I first read To Kill a Mockingbird when I was a 'tween for an English class assignment. As a bookish kid, I remember being struck by Harper Lee’s writing—the vivid sense of place (small-town Alabama) and time (the Depression era), memorable phrases like "the head-shaking, quelling of nausea and Jem-yelling," and casual remarks rich in wisdom. And, of course, I was awed by Atticus Finch. What girl wouldn’t want this wise, calm, quietly righteous man for a father? His unshakable conviction and courage in the face of prejudice, cruelty, and injustice was inspiring. Thanks to Atticus Finch, I became obsessed with a real-life legendary lawyer, Clarence Darrow, and devoured every book written by or about him I could find. For a minute, I contemplated pursuing a career in law. Then, I got called for jury duty, realized that gripping courtroom drama was rare, and channeled my fascination into reading legal thrillers by John Grisham.

For me, Mockingbird was all about Atticus. Even though I was a voracious reader from a young age, I didn’t connect with Scout, a precocious 9-year-old—until my daughter, a tomboy, became a 'tween. As a white mom to a Black daughter, I have always been conscious of race. But in 2012, when Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old African American boy, was fatally shot on a street in Florida for looking suspicious—and his killer was acquitted—I became painfully aware of racism and its dangers. Even though we lived in a diverse city in northern New Jersey, I began to fear for my daughter’s safety. Lucero couldn’t understand why I suddenly objected to her wearing a hoodie and lectured her about the importance of avoiding strangers and the police. Trying to explain racism and injustice to my innocent, trusting daughter made me think of Scout. And so, I found myself longing to revisit the novel I fell in awe with in middle school and get reacquainted with its young narrator. A few years later, when Academy Award-winning actress Sissy Spacek signed on to narrate the audiobook, I decided to go back and give Harper Lee’s classic a listen as a mother.

While centered on a racially charged case—a Black man falsely accused of the brutal rape of a young white woman— To Kill a Mockingbird is, at its heart, Scout’s coming-of-age story. It’s told from Scout’s perspective, both as a woman looking back on her childhood and as a child awakening to the harsh realities of life in Maycomb, Alabama, and her father’s commitment to doing what’s right and just, regardless of the risks or repercussions. Narrating the audiobook, Spacek, a native Texan, draws us into the rhythm and routines of life in a small Southern town. What’s more, she embodies Scout—in all her frustrations, enthusiasm, and idealism—and her gradual awareness of the prejudice all around her. As the novel progresses, Scout develops a moral compass and sense of empathy. Guided by her father’s example and gentle reprimands, she comes to see folks in Maycomb who have been ostracized and demonized—including the town’s Black residents and her reclusive, seemingly creepy neighbor, "Boo" Radley—as people, pure and simple. And that’s what ultimately saves her.

Continue reading Mysia's review >

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)

Featured Article: 40+ Inspirational Quotes for When You Need Some Words of Reassurance


When life gets tough or self-doubt strikes, a few words of inspiration can make an incredible difference. And who better to turn to for words of inspiration than gifted authors? In this collection of quotes from noted novelists, poets, and memoirists, you'll find the right words to lift your spirits and keep you shining. From a variety of celebrated authors, these quotes will inspire you to follow your dreams, face your fears, do what's right, and believe in yourself.

What listeners say about To Kill a Mockingbird

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    39,666
  • 4 Stars
    4,991
  • 3 Stars
    1,168
  • 2 Stars
    291
  • 1 Stars
    324
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    36,092
  • 4 Stars
    3,807
  • 3 Stars
    916
  • 2 Stars
    211
  • 1 Stars
    216
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    35,287
  • 4 Stars
    4,126
  • 3 Stars
    1,142
  • 2 Stars
    268
  • 1 Stars
    270

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Times have chaanged

I first was required to read this book in high school. At the time I thought it waspretty good. No, not so much. As a person of color I have a tough time tohear the descriptions of black people - from the very small to the very old. I understand what was acceptable at the time, but that doesn't make it any easier to read.

I rated this book all right only because in the past I would have given it a much high rating, this is my compremise.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very entertaining

Great story line. Sissy does an awesome job with it, puts you there. Good read

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Favorite book of all time

I haven’t read this book in 10, maybe 12 years, and I loved it more this time than I had the capacity to before. Sissy Spacek narrated it brilliantly, and I found myself standing there with Scout and Jem throughout the whole book.
To Kill a Mockingbird is a beautiful coming of age story that teaches us that rumors are not always a replacement for knowing a person. Coming from a small town in the south, I identify greatly with the way that Scout and Jem were brought up.
I sincerely cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who may have forgotten to slow down in this busy world of ours.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

American Literature

A Pulitzer Prize wining novel, one of the best books in American literature and read by a narrator who can make it come alive.. what are y’all waiting for?!?

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

one of my favorites

This was required reading in high school but, even though I really only half read it, I fell in love with the story. I was so excited to see that it's coming to life on Broadway and wanted to reread it before seeing a staged rendition.
Sissy Spacek did a great job of bringing Scout to life, capturing the innocence of a young girl as she learns some of life's hardest, but most important lessons. So glad to have been introduced to such an incredible book so many years ago, pleased to reread it, and estatic to be going to see the show.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Simply Perfect

I cannot more strongly review this book and narration. Sissy Spacek brings the characters to life. Simply perfect.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Classic?

I'm pretty sure I don't like this book because of the narration (so over acted - ugh). So at some point, I'm going to give it another twirl just reading it myself. I don't think it is plausible from the eyes of an eight year old. I don't think the subject matter of the trial is something for a child. I do believe this is the way things were in the south during this time period. Maybe that's what I don't like. Would I recommend this? No. Too many other great books out there.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

hi I am a fort milker who likes banana hi bob afri

do you know the way the way of the devil dap lil xd banana gort

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Nothing could hold my interest in this classic

Nothing could hold my interest in this classic. It was boring and trying get to a storyline was taking for ever and didn't develop. The reader was hard to follow and I have listened to 40-60 hour history books which held my interest more than this. sorry. My first and only negative

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

A different book...in a different time.

This book was written back in the 60s. The story takes place back in the early 1900s. It is a very enjoyable read and sends you back to a time long forgotten. Compared to many of the other books that will leave you glued to the storyline, this book is a more relaxing read. I enjoyed the book and I am glad I selected this old classic. Compared to the dozens of other books that I have purchased through audiobook, I could not give this five stars compared to many of the other books that I’ve read. But I would still recommend this to friends and family to mix up your reading experience.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful