Avem Occidere Mimicam

A classic of race and class conflict in the Deep South of 1930's America, To Kill A Mockingbird is as powerfully resonant today as when it was first published in the 1960's. An important and engaging book for students for decades, To Kill A Mockingbird is an excellent way in for those wishing to learn Latin and this translation revives the language for contemporary readers. Atticus Finch defends a black man charged with the rape of a white girl, while we see the world of the American South in the 1930s through the innocent eyes of Scout and Jem Finch. In understanding the racial injustice of her town, Scout gains a new awareness of kindness and cruelty and leaves her childhood behind. Andrew Wilson's translation is suitable for students of any ability. His use of Latin vocabulary reflects the subtlety of Harper Lee's writing while providing an exciting new way to learn the language.

Review: Someone rare has written this very fine novel, a writer with the liveliest sense of life and the warmest, most authentic humour. A touching book; and so funny, so likeable. -- Truman Capote * (on To Kill A Mockingbird) *
There is humour as well as tragedy in this book, besides its faint note of hope for human nature; and it is delightfully written. -- Sunday Times * (on To Kill A Mockingbird) *
On nearly every page there is some felicity of composition to be admired, some turn of phrase that arouses admiration for the translator. In its entirety, it is an extraordinary work - it is a wonderfully good read. -- Theodore Brennan, Professor of Philosophy and Classics, Cornell University * (on Andrew Wilson's translation of Harry Potter) *
There is actually a substantial body of evidence that children who study Latin outperform their peers when it comes to reading, reading comprehension and vocabulary. -- Toby Young * Spectator *