Harper Lee Turns 80

[Geoff_M]

Here's a great article about the author of To Kill A Mockingbird, the book that will still be read by school children for decades to come, and her childhood next-door best friend: Truman Capote: Link

 

[sodaseller]

Thanks - I never knew that harper lee and Truman Capote grew up next to each other. That she has remained in the small town that provided the setting for her saga reminds of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Read about Atticus in high school as required reading - stays with me to this day

You might also enjoy Flannery O'Connor

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Thanks for the link! I need to check out To Kill A Mockingbird from the library (haven't read it since I was a child)--thanks for the reminder.

 

[Evil Queen]

Love this book..."Atticusis" 1 of DS10's middle names. The character just has always moved me.

 

[ducklite]

Thank you for the link. That has been my favorite book since the day I first picked it up about 33 years ago.

It's a masterpiece of written word.

Anne

 

[eclectics]

Thanks for the link. Nice little article. I always hoped she would write again. Maybe she has. She seems like she might be the type to have a manuscript or two squirreled away with instructions to publish them after her death. Who knows, maybe someday we might get to read another Harper Lee masterpiece.

 

[AMcaptured]

Funny you should mention Harper Lee, I am currently reading "Mockingbird" and was told by a friend who is in the publishing industry that it is widely rumored that Capote authored "Mockingbird" and that Lee was just a cover. I had never heard that before but found it interesting.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Thanks. One of my all-time favorite books.

 

[Sirius]

Thanks for the link. This is one of my favorite novels to teach.

 

[Geoff_M]

That she has remained in the small town that provided the setting for her saga reminds of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings.

There was a recent magazine article on Harper/Monroeville (it was either in Smithsonian or Nat Geo). Harper's a tough person to get info on. Not only does she refuse to talk to the press, the townspeople of Monroeville are also tight lipped about her. She's been known to shun friends and others in the small town who talk to the press about her. She's certainly an interesting character, that's for sure.

 

[rhanditresmom]

Cool info. I love "To Kill a Mockingbird", it is an amazing story.

 

[luvflorida]

Definitely one of the best books ever written, and my absolute favorite. All three of my kids read To Kill A Mockingbird long before they reached the grade it was usually required for students to read. I actually read it to my youngest daughter when she was not quite ten years old. She had auditioned and got the part of Scout in a community theatre production of To Kill A Mockingbird. I wanted her to fully understand what the play, (book), was about, and since it deals with some very sensitive subjects, I wanted to be able to read it to her a chapter at a time and be able to answer any questions she had. She did an awesome job in the role of Scout, and she actually looked a lot like the young actress, Mary Badham, who played Scout in the movie version of the book.

Sorry, didn't mean to carry on! Thanks for providing the link to the article on Harper Lee. It's rare to get any information about her. She's certainly an amazing woman!

 

[eclectics]

Funny you should mention Harper Lee, I am currently reading "Mockingbird" and was told by a friend who is in the publishing industry that it is wildy rumored that Capote authored "Mockingbird" and that Lee was just a cover. I had never heard that before but found it interesting.

I never took much stock in that rumor. Considering Capote's ego, I doubt he would let Lee take credit for a world acclaimed book he penned.

 

[MN Dis Fans]

Happy Birthday and God Bless to an American treasure!

..."Atticusis" 1 of DS10's middle names. The character just has always moved me.

- Now that is cool!

 

[MScott1851]

I love Harper Lee...the whole Alabama girl thing, you know?

Harper is on the short list of my baby girl names. My mom hates it, but I think it's a good Southern name.

 

[ducklite]

Love this book..."Atticusis" 1 of DS10's middle names. The character just has always moved me.

Well, I can't top that one, but one of my ferret's was named Scout, and I also named a ferret I fostered for a shelter for awhile "Boo Radley." He was an albino with a viscious bite who was deep down actually very sweet but had been abused and lacked trust in himans. Seemed fitting.

It's amazing how that novel touches everyone who reads it. I've never met anyone who didn't care for it.

Anne

 

[tkd lisa]

My DD just read this book for LA. She LOVED it and asked for a copy for herself. My mom had found an article on Harper Lee about 3 weeks ago. DD really enjoyed reading about her life.

Thanks for posting this one.

 

[PrincessKitty1]

Pre-internet, I always wondered what happened to the little girl who played Scout. This thread just inspired me to Google her--here's an interview with her from a few years ago:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9134860/

 

[olena]

Monroeville, AL.......it's great that she still lives there. I also have family there. Her book is a genuine treasure, not just for America, but for all humanity.

 

[Apothecary]

Last fall, the Neptune Theatre in Halifax, Nova Scotia was putting on "Mockingbird"...the local school board cancelled a proposed trip by one of the grade 12 classes to see the play because of it's "objectionable language and themes".

Unbelievable. "Mockingbird" was my favourite High School book, and a great movie to boot.