If you have ever wondered “Who is Harper Lee anyway” then it might be worth reading the unauthorised biography of her life called Mockingbird, A Portrait Of Harper Lee, by Charles J Shields. He writes a very sensitive and easy to read book about her life. Occasionally I didn’t feel any guilt in skim reading – some of the detail was a little too much. I think if I’d written a book on her, it would be very short – it would explain her motivation for writing the book and try to understand the reason why she never wrote another book again. Oh and maybe I’d touch on whether she had any serious relationships in her life – male or female…but that’s about all I’d need to know.
Anyway, the really interesting thing about Harper Lee, I think, is that she lived next door to Truman Capote. Was it just an extraordinary coincidence that two such significant writers should live in such close proximity or was it nurture rather than nature? Did Harper follow Truman to New York and copy the dream – rent a flat with the precise intention to write her first book. Her father bought them both a typewriter to write up their manuscripts when they were both very young. Again, that must have been an incredibly significant moment for them both and given that they were both unusual children they were clearly drawn to each other – especially through their common thread of having unloving mothers to deal with in different ways.
It must have been a hugely brave move back in the day to announce to her father that she was leaving law school and moving to NYC to write. Then she struggled because she had to work all hours to pay the rent and buy food. I think one of the most lovely moments I have ever read about was about her good fortune to have come into contact with a handful of people in the arts world who believe in her and after years of trying to write her novel, one Christmas she was with some good friends of hers because she had to work on Christmas eve and couldn’t therefore get home. There was a card sitting on the Christmas tree for her and it said that her present was to be able to write for a year with no financial concerns. They offered to take care of everything, her rent, her food, all her expenses. If it hadn’t been for them, there would be no book. What a wonderful present to be able to offer someone – the luxury of time.
So why did she never write another one? Seems she was too daunted by the celebrity and success of her book – somehow (maybe like the Flappy Birds inventor) she felt as if she had created a monster and wanted to retract from the limelight. She did try hard to write more, but perhaps it never lived up to everyone’s high expectations. It took her a very long time to accept that she no longer had to battle with another book and to find some peace within herself to live a much quieter life.
Now I want to read the book again and watch the film.
Charles J. Shields
February 15, 2014Thank you, Ms. Lucy Campbell for your spirited and thoughtful review of
my biography of Harper Lee. You touched on all the points I hoped a
reader would see, and so I’m pleased.
I’m going to keep up on your blog, because I like the tone, the voice,
and the subject matter. In addition, as the Spanish say, you look like a
“good huevo.”
Give me a shout hello when you have time.
Charles J. Shields
PS Your e-mail doesn’t work. Not for me, anyway.
Family Affairs
February 16, 2014OMG THE ACTUAL AUTHOR HAS REPLIED TO MY REVIEW!!! That is amazing – thanks so much – “HELLO!!” as per your request but thank you so much for your comment on my blog – not sure why email doesn’t work? lucycampbell@familyaffairsandothermatters.com – will try yours if it doesn’t work. Are you based in the USA?
Charles J. Shields
February 17, 2014Yes, I live in Virginia in Thomas Jefferson country, within sight of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Send me an e-mail, sure.
Family Affairs
February 17, 2014Cool – will do – thanks x
Jo
February 17, 2014Eres un buen huevo tambien senor Shields! My favourite book ever is To Kill a Mockingbird. ..and so your biography was incredibly interesting and moving …maybe more children should have less to occupy them and more time to develop their creativity. Imagine if Harper Lee had lived in the Facebook era! Different times but a timeless book x thank you for your insightful work x jo
Charles J. Shields
February 18, 2014It’s a timeless book all right. And its message of not just tolerating people, but walking in their shoes cuts across cultures. I’ll bet every language has its own version of the Golden Rule, don’t you think?
Family Affairs
February 19, 2014I completely agree – it’s like “Things Fall Apart” and other books that have written about life in it’s both smallest and largest sense – a real talent to successfully manage that. Lx
Charles J. Shields
February 21, 2014Exactly!
Imo
February 18, 2014I have always wondered why the mad dog had a surname , was that common around those parts or was it just for symbolism ? In all your research have you unearthed anything that would help explain?
Family Affairs
February 18, 2014I can’t even remember the name of the mad dog?? Lx
Charles J. Shields
February 21, 2014The dog’s name, Tim Johnson, is similar to Tom Robinson, the man accused of assaulting a white woman. But I don’t think too much can be made of that… unless you’ve got some ideas! Giving a dog a human name is droll Southern humor, I think.
Charles J. Shields
February 18, 2014I’ll answer these questions, I promise. I’m working on several book proposals at once, I’m pleased to say, but when I get a moment, I’ll answer back any and all questions.
Best,
Charles
Family Affairs
February 18, 2014Great thanks Lx
Charles J. Shields
February 21, 2014Thank you for posting the cover of the book. That’s kind of you.
Family Affairs
February 21, 2014You’re welcome – I’ve just changed the format to a mobile friendly version so the images are more greatly required now. Lx