Harper Lee

Easton Press Harper Lee books

To Kill A Mockingbird - 1997

Go Set a Watchman - 2016

 

Franklin Library Harper Lee books

To Kill A Mockingbird - Pulitzer Prize Classics - 1977

 

Harper Lee biography

Harper Lee, born Nelle Harper Lee on April 28, 1926, in Monroeville, Alabama, was an American novelist widely celebrated for her groundbreaking work, To Kill a Mockingbird. She was the youngest of four children born to Amasa Coleman Lee, a lawyer, and Frances Cunningham Finch Lee, a homemaker. Her given name, Nelle, was her grandmother's name spelled backward. Growing up in the Southern United States during a time of deep racial segregation, Lee's experiences heavily influenced her writing. She attended Huntingdon College and then transferred to the University of Alabama, where she pursued a law degree, but ultimately left before completing her studies.

In the 1950s, Lee moved to New York City to pursue her passion for writing. There, she worked as an airline reservation clerk while dedicating her spare time to writing fiction. It was during this period that she penned her seminal work, To Kill a Mockingbird, which was published in 1960. To Kill a Mockingbird quickly garnered critical acclaim and commercial success. The novel, set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, explores themes of racial injustice and moral growth through the eyes of young Scout Finch, whose father, Atticus Finch, defends a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman. The book won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961 and has since become a classic of American literature, beloved by generations of readers for its poignant portrayal of empathy and compassion in the face of prejudice.

Despite the overwhelming success of To Kill a Mockingbird, Lee shied away from the public eye and largely avoided interviews and publicity. She lived a quiet life in Monroeville, where she spent time with her close friends, including Truman Capote, another celebrated author. For decades, Lee refrained from publishing another book. However, in 2015, to the surprise of many, her second novel, Go Set a Watchman, was released. This novel, actually written before To Kill a Mockingbird, features an adult Scout Finch returning to Maycomb to visit her aging father, Atticus. While the publication of Go Set a Watchman generated significant controversy and mixed reviews, it provided further insight into Lee's literary prowess and the evolution of her characters. Harper Lee passed away on February 19, 2016, at the age of 89, leaving behind a powerful legacy as one of America's most revered authors. Her influence on literature and her contributions to the discourse on race and justice continue to resonate, ensuring that her work will be cherished for generations to come.

To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird stands as one of the most iconic and influential novels in American literature. Published in 1960, it quickly garnered widespread acclaim and has since become a staple in classrooms, libraries, and bookshelves around the world. Set in the fictional town of Maycomb, Alabama, during the 1930s, To Kill a Mockingbird follows the experiences of young Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, her older brother Jeremy Atticus "Jem" Finch, and their widowed father, Atticus Finch. The story is narrated by Scout as an adult reflecting on her childhood.

The narrative is framed around the trial of Tom Robinson, a black man falsely accused of raping a white woman, Mayella Ewell. Atticus Finch, a principled lawyer, is appointed to defend Tom Robinson, despite facing backlash and prejudice from the townspeople. Through the trial and its aftermath, Lee delves into themes of racial injustice, moral growth, empathy, and the complexities of human nature. One of the novel's most enduring and beloved characters is Atticus Finch, portrayed as a model of integrity and compassion. His unwavering commitment to justice and fairness, as well as his respect for all individuals regardless of their race or social standing, has made him a revered figure in literature. Scout Finch, the novel's young protagonist, provides a fresh and insightful perspective on the events unfolding around her. Her innocence and curiosity serve as a lens through which readers explore the deep-seated prejudices and social hierarchies of Maycomb.

To Kill a Mockingbird is celebrated not only for its compelling storytelling but also for its exploration of profound moral and social issues. It tackles themes of racial inequality, class disparities, and the loss of innocence with sensitivity and nuance, challenging readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society and human nature. The novel's title itself is symbolic, referencing a line in which Atticus Finch tells his children that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird because they "don't do one thing but sing their hearts out for us." Mockingbirds come to represent innocence and goodness, and the novel serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy and understanding in a world marked by injustice and prejudice.

To Kill a Mockingbird received the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1961, cementing its place as a literary classic. Its enduring relevance and impact continue to resonate with readers of all ages, ensuring that Harper Lee's masterpiece remains an essential and cherished work of literature for generations to come.

 

Go Set a Watchman

Go Set a Watchman was initially written in the mid-1950s and famously published in 2015, more than half a century after the release of her Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel provides a compelling and controversial glimpse into the characters and setting of Maycomb, Alabama, revisiting the beloved characters from "To Kill a Mockingbird" in a different stage of their lives. The story centers around Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, who returns to her hometown of Maycomb from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus Finch, and to grapple with her own identity and values. Set in the mid-1950s, against the backdrop of the Civil Rights Movement, the novel explores themes of racial tension, family dynamics, and the struggle for personal integrity.

The title, Go Set a Watchman, is taken from the biblical Book of Isaiah and alludes to the protagonist's journey of self-discovery and moral awakening. As Jean Louise confronts the realities of her hometown, she is forced to confront uncomfortable truths about her family, her community, and herself. One of the most significant elements of Go Set a Watchman is its portrayal of Atticus Finch, who in To Kill a Mockingbird is revered as a paragon of moral virtue and racial justice. In "Go Set a Watchman," however, Atticus is depicted as more complex and fallible, grappling with his own prejudices and beliefs. This portrayal sparked intense debate and controversy among readers and critics alike.

While Go Set a Watchman received mixed reviews upon its publication, with some praising its nuanced exploration of character and themes, and others questioning its place in the literary canon, it remains a thought-provoking companion piece to To Kill a Mockingbird. The novel offers readers a deeper understanding of Harper Lee's vision and the evolution of her characters, while also raising important questions about morality, identity, and the legacy of the American South. Despite the controversy surrounding its publication, Go Set a Watchman stands as a testament to Harper Lee's enduring impact on literature and her ability to provoke thought and discussion with her storytelling. Whether seen as a standalone work or as a companion to To Kill a Mockingbird, the novel continues to spark dialogue and reflection among readers, ensuring its place in the literary landscape for years to come.

Harper Lee quotes

Harper Lee, though famously private, has left behind a wealth of insightful and memorable quotes through her writing and interviews. The following are some notable quotes attributed to her.

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it."

"The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

"Mockingbirds don’t do one thing but make music for us to enjoy. They don’t eat up people’s gardens, don’t nest in corncribs, they don’t do one thing but sing their hearts out for us. That’s why it’s a sin to kill a mockingbird."

"People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for."

"Real courage is when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what."

"Atticus, he was real nice." "Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them."

"You just hold your head high and keep those fists down. No matter what anybody says to you, don't you let 'em get your goat. Try fightin' with your head for a change."

"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing."

These quotes encapsulate themes of empathy, morality, courage, and the complexities of human nature that are central to Harper Lee's writing and continue to resonate with readers worldwide.