To Kill a Mockingbird

[Chloista]

Is this book not on Kindle?  I've been trying to find it but all I see are study guides.  Hard to believe this wouldn't be on Kindle. 

[Meemo]

Not legally. Harper Lee is still living and apparently hasn't given permission to have it published in digital form.

[Chloista]

Sigh... thanks for responding.  I sure wish she'd give approval.  I really don't want to buy a paperback version.  Keeping my fingers crossed!

[balaspa]

One of many classics that still has yet to make the transition.  It's too bad, too.

[Cindy Borgne]

What a shame. I would've liked to re-read that one on my Kindle.

[Jim Franz]

Books like this are why I'll always have a bookshelf.  I can't imagine not owning a copy, though I wish it were on my Kindle, as well.

[Zachery Richardson]

It's kinda like how The Beatles never made their music available for digital download until recently. It'll happen eventually. It always does.

[Kali.Amanda]

I'm not entirely sure that is up to Ms. Lee. There may be legal issues with the publishers.

[Ann in Arlington]

I'm not entirely sure that is up to Ms. Lee. There may be legal issues with the publishers.

I would guess that there's nothing about digital rights in the original contract. . . so the publishers can't release it without her o.k.  And she's not interested.

[Harry Shannon]

I bought the 50th anniversary hardcover for my daughter, who was 11, and she just adores that novel. Hope it is out soon so another generation can treasure it.

[Meemo]

I'm not entirely sure that is up to Ms. Lee. There may be legal issues with the publishers.

True - most of what I've read has indicated that it's Ms. Lee that doesn't want it released in eBook form, but I don't know if that's true.  I suspect it is, though, as I can't imagine a publisher (in this case HarperCollins) not being willing to release it in digital form.  But really, it depends on who has the digital rights - HarperCollins or Harper Lee.

[Tess St John]

Interesting--guess she doesn't care for the digital age...we have at least two copies on our bookshelf.

[JRTomlin]

Since digital rights were unknown and unanticipated when her contract was signed, it is her choice. The rights are hers. Like many elderly people she apparently has little understanding of the digital age. It may be a very long time before some of the older works still under copyright become available. It's a shame but not anything that can be done about it.

[SylvieB1984]

Huh, that's interesting. It is too bad, but what is kinda sad is that we will not respect her wish and will have it electronic once she is passed. I think it's too bad she is not willing to have it electronic, but I also find it wrong that we will more then likely not respect her wishes of not doing it.

[navythriller]

Huh, that's interesting. It is too bad, but what is kinda sad is that we will not respect her wish and will have it electronic once she is passed. I think it's too bad she is not willing to have it electronic, but I also find it wrong that we will more then likely not respect her wishes of not doing it.

That may (or may not) be true.  Assuming that she plans to leave the rights to some person or organization as part of her estate, she may place restrictions on how it can be managed.  All I know is that it's a fantastic book, and I'd love to have a copy on my Kindle.  If that never happens, I've still got a well-loved and dogearred copy on my book shelf.

[Meemo]

Huh, that's interesting. It is too bad, but what is kinda sad is that we will not respect her wish and will have it electronic once she is passed. I think it's too bad she is not willing to have it electronic, but I also find it wrong that we will more then likely not respect her wishes of not doing it.

Well, if she doesn't change her mind (assuming it's her and not the publisher that's against having it published digitally), she or her estate will still retain the copyright until 2055 (95 years past the date of publication according to this chart http://copyright.cornell.edu/resources/publicdomain.cfm) - or maybe even later than that depending on when she last renewed the copyright - I don't know if the "70 years after death" kicks in at some point.  By then who knows what the technology will be? 

[Bernard J. Schaffer]

Poor Harper...so mysterious and reclusive.  I wonder if we'll discover a dozen unpublished novels from her when she passes away.  I truly can't imagine how someone capable of writing one of the single greatest pieces of literature of all time could simply stop writing.  It makes me sad.  And while I don't believe the rumors that Truman Capote actually wrote it...it does leave me baffled how a magnificent writer could abandon her craft. 

[Jon Olson]

It's kinda like how The Beatles never made their music available for digital download until recently. It'll happen eventually. It always does.

That was due to a spat over the Apple trademark. The Beatles had Apple Records long before Apple was anyting but a fruit.

[laa0325]

I recently found my old paperback and got it out for my son. However, I've hesitated to give it to him becasue of the rape and incest related to the trial.  I'm not sure that's something he's ready for.  He's 10 and I don't remember how old I was when I first read it. Parents, how did your kids handle it?  

[& gone]

I recently found my old paperback and got it out for my son. However, I've hesitated to give it to him becasue of the rape and incest related to the trial.  I'm not sure that's something he's ready for.  He's 10 and I don't remember how old I was when I first read it. Parents, how did you kids handle it? 

That's an excellent point. My son is eight, but even when he's ten, I think I'd hesitate. There are some amazing life lessons in there, so it could go either way. Still, IMO, ten might be too young to understand the content and/or context of the lessons.

[Betsy the Quilter]

I'm certain that there are no legal copies online; if anyone can prove to me before posting that there is a legal digital source, I'll allow the post.  Otherwise, as a site that respects copyright, posts linking to copies will be removed.

Thanks for understanding.

Betsy
KB Moderator

[vrabinec]

Hmm, I don't know if I didn't send my response or if the mods too it down. But the book is available from dozens of sites right now, and it's free. Along with hundreds of other classics. I assume they were posted with permission. So, releasing it seems silly.

[vrabinec]

I'm certain that there are no legal copies online; if anyone can prove to me before posting that there is a legal digital source, I'll allow the post.  Otherwise, as a site that respects copyright, posts linking to copies will be removed.

Thanks for understanding.

Betsy
KB Moderator

Gotcha. We crossed posts.

[Betsy the Quilter]

Assuming that something that is online is online with permission is a big assumption, unfortunately. And classics for which rights have lapsed are also a whole different thing.  One can find gazillions by actual count versions of classics available for free or for little on Amazon. 

In the case of TKAM, the owner of the book is still alive and very much in control of her rights.

Betsy

[SylvieB1984]

That's an excellent point. My son is eight, but even when he's ten, I think I'd hesitate. There are some amazing life lessons in there, so it could go either way. Still, IMO, ten might be too young to understand the content and/or context of the lessons.

I think it would be best to wait until they are older. It would depend on how much they already know on the subject and whether or not they will understand what is going on in the book.