Ciara Hackett
(Business and Human Rights, Corporate Social Responsibility, Tort)
To Kill A Mockingbird: Harper Lee - This much-loved book tells the story of lawyer Atticus Fitch told through the voice of his six-year old daughter, Scout. The book centres on the trial of a black man accused of raping a white girl. The film based on the book is on Netflix and there is an audio book here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-KYfIViD3k How to Kill A Mocking Bird trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi88P7KfaMA
Themes of justice, race, equality, class, oppression, civil rights.
Harry Potter series: J.K Rowling - The iconic Harry Potter series follows the young wizard Harry from his journey as a neglected orphan to a powerful wizard and charts the various obstacles that he must overcome in order to fulfil his destiny.
Themes include law, politics, class, race, justice, punishment, power, discrimination, equality.
The Power: Naomi Alderman - This thought-provoking novel wonders (with great use of symbolism) what would happen if girls ruled the world. Girls become all-powerful when, at around 14 or 15, they can hurt and kill by releasing electric currents from their fingertips.
Themes include female empowerment, justice, society, culture, religion, gender, revolutions, sexual violence.
Law School further recommends
Alan Paton: Cry, the Beloved Country - If you enjoyed following the fight for justice by Atticus Finch in ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ then the experiences of two fathers and their relationship with their sons while living under the Apartheid system in South Africa is highly recommended.
Themes include family, race, culture, apartheid, justice, politics, law and discrimination.
Suzanne Collins: The Hunger Games series - If you enjoyed Harry Potter then a book series which also explores themes of youth, the fight between ‘good’ and ‘evil’, politics, class, discrimination and equality is Collin’s trilogy. The series of books, as with the Potter series, has been made into a film franchise which is also worth checking out. Trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfmrPu43DF8
Margaret Attwood: The Handmaid’s Tale - This thought-provoking story of a dystopian state where women’s bodily autonomy has been removed sits in contrast to The Power where girls/women are in control. Read both books and compare the ‘battle of the sexes’ when fought at its extremities. Some of the many themes in The Handmaid Tale include, feminism, human rights, bodily autonomy, discrimination, class, equality, democracy and justice. A miniseries has now also been released, see the trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDVMEEWD0Mk