Here is another Harper Lee Article from the Huffington Post. I found some of the comments interesting as people slammed Go Set A Watchman and even speculated whether she truly wrote To Kill A Mockingbird or if Truman Capote had a hand in it.
Anyone who knows me is aware of my favorite book of all time. I even list it in my ‘about’ page. To Kill A Mockingbird is a book that has resonated with me at different times in my life. Today, the author of that book, Harper Lee, has passed away.
The past couple of years of Ms. Lee’s life have been interesting and maybe a bit controversial. The so-called prequel/sequel to her most famous work was ‘discovered’ and rushed to publication. There was much speculation over her feelings about this work being published. Like any follow-up to a momentous work, there wasn’t much hope that it would eclipse the first one. After joining scores of others who read it, I can only say that it did not diminish my love for the first book, nor did it approach that feeling as its own work.
Harper Lee lived the experiences that she so eloquently wrote about in her first book. It was a masterpiece, in my opinion, and will make her immortal. Rest in peace.
In tribute, I am linking to a review that I did of To Kill A Mockingbird about a year ago as I reread it for probably the 5th time in anticipation of Go Set A Watchman.
Your thoughts and comments are welcome:
I don’t normally use this form for book reviews, but, upon reading my favorite book of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird, for the third time in my life, I felt that it deserved a heartfelt review in anticipation of Harper Lee’s improbable and highly-anticipated sequel, Go Set a Watchman, due out in July.
I’ve now read this book three times, once in my teens, again in my twenties, and now at 52. Like all great books, I have taken something new from it each time I’ve read it. There is so much to be learned from this book. It’s told from the perspective of Scout Finch, a young girl who is somewhere between 7-9 years old.
When Harper Lee wrote this semi-autobiographical book, I’m not sure that she set out to make it part court room drama, part young adult fiction, and part lesson in humanity. When I read TKAM as a teenager when it was a school assignment, I begrudgingly started it and quickly became lost in the story. It was Young Adult fiction before that type of literature had a label. The story was compelling and the perspective of young scout was a blend of childish thoughts and dialog mixed with mature and “wise beyond her years” insight.
When I read the book in my twenties, I was able to relate to the social issues touched upon in the book. I was outraged along with Scout and Jem as Tom Robinson was discriminated against in a court of law simply because of his skin color. I could see the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement through the eyes of the Finch’s even at this pre-World War II time period.
No, in my early 50’s, I realized that I am Atticus Finch. I have a daughter who is slightly younger than Scout as she appears in the book. Scout views her 50 year old father as old and not able to participate in activities with her and her brother. This made me wonder if my six year old views me the way that Scout viewed Atticus. It really made me think and it made my relationship with the book change completely. I went from the headstrong Jem/Scout type mindset in my teens and twenties to a more sedate mindset in the personage of Atticus. I could see myself advising my children to be patient and wait for issues to resolve themselves instead of charging ahead blindly. What a revelation. It made me fall in love with the book all over again.
Now, as Harper Lee prepares to release her 2nd book in July, I am both excited and nervous. I want it to be as good as TKAM, but I question how it could ever be. I will be reading it the day that it comes out and I recommend that you re-read this classic first and then read the new book.
About Don Massenzio
Don Massenzio was born in Syracuse, New York, to first generation Italian American parents. He is an avid reader. Some of his favorite authors include Harlan Coben, David Morrell, Stephen King, and Hugh Howey. His favorite book of all time is ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’.
Don began writing as a way to combat the long hours of travel and numerous hotel stays that are part of the ‘glamorous’ world of corporate travel. He uses writing as a therapeutic outlet. He recently took the jump to sharing his work with others.
His first published long work is the novel, Frankly Speaking. It is the first of what will be a series of books focused on the character, Frank Rozzani, a Florida private detective. The book is a throwback to the days of pulp detective novels with a tip of the hat to Jim Rockford from 70’s television and The Rockford Files.
The second Frank Rozzani detective novel, Let Me Be Frank is now available.
Prior to finishing his books, his published work was comprised of short stories that will be merged into a collection in the near future.
Find out more about Don at his web site:
Author Don Massenzio 