I've always admired Nelle Harper Lee simply because of her masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird. But now I have a bunch of more reasons to call this woman truly exceptional. She grew up in a family that prized education (her 98 year old sister still practices law), and went to college at a time when most female students were just there to catch a husband. Uninterested in dating or makeup, she made a name for herself in college academics and writing, flirted with law school, wound up moving from rural Alabama to try and make it as a writer in New York City, and after all of these years, refuses to give up the joy she finds in a private, simple life in the community that raised her. I could name other details that I admire, but mostly I just highly recommend this book. Engaging and eye-opening, it's a simple yet remarkable glimpse into the character behind a name we know so well. I'll never think of her in quite the same way again. One of the best biographies I've ever read. A surprisingly intimate portrait of an author who hasn't given an interview since 1964. Madden faced quite a challenge and wrote a biography that is full of interesting facts, quotes and stories."To Kill a Mockingbird" is one of my favorite books, so I was happy to discover new information about the book, its creation, the film which followed it and, of course, the author. What fascinated me the most was how Madden always insisted that Lee is not a recluse but, in fact, a private person.An excellent notes and bibliographic information section can be found in the back of this quick read.
What do You think about Harper Lee (2009)?
Background info on Harper Lee was interesting, but the biography overall lacked flow.
—SairaGo
Madden paints a vivid and insighful picture into Alabama's very own Harper Lee.
—Mandy1996
Loved this book! This book answered a lot of questions I had about Ms. Lee.
—mandyy
Interesting information about the very private (not reclusive) Ms. Lee.
—nathrosario
