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emily_1215's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
It's hard to rate non-fiction, but I can say that this is a really fascinating and concise look at Lee's life, and I found some of the information very interesting. As a teacher, I think this will be a great resource if I ever teach To Kill a Mockingbird so the students can further understand Lee's influences and her life.
It's hard to rate non-fiction, but I can say that this is a really fascinating and concise look at Lee's life, and I found some of the information very interesting. As a teacher, I think this will be a great resource if I ever teach To Kill a Mockingbird so the students can further understand Lee's influences and her life.
mlangman's review against another edition
4.0
I love Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, so it was really interesting to read about her life and its influence on her masterwork.
alice2000's review against another edition
4.0
Gave some good insight into the authors of one of my favorite books.
tonircox's review against another edition
Harper Lee basically co-wrote In Cold Blood
hopelessacademic's review against another edition
4.0
Where was this book three years ago when I was writing my thesis? It’s outdated, obviously, as this biography claims that Lee has never published another novel. It does, however, support my own theories that “Go Set A Watchman” was published only because greedy corporate leeches wanted another cash cow.
This book is well researched, especially considering how difficult Lee made things after disappearing from the public eye. It made me wish I could have picked her brain in college, if she would let me get close. This biography feels honest, perhaps in an attempt to imitate Lee an her down-to-earth roots.
My dad bought this for me for three bucks at the thrift store when I begged him because I didn’t have any cash. I think it was well worth the investment.
This book is well researched, especially considering how difficult Lee made things after disappearing from the public eye. It made me wish I could have picked her brain in college, if she would let me get close. This biography feels honest, perhaps in an attempt to imitate Lee an her down-to-earth roots.
My dad bought this for me for three bucks at the thrift store when I begged him because I didn’t have any cash. I think it was well worth the investment.
anitagrendell's review against another edition
1.0
I had to force myself to finish it. It drug on with too much info about Lee's friends, and then the end was rushed. Thank goodness that's over!
jeremy_bearimy's review against another edition
3.0
I knew close to nothing about Harper (Nelle) Lee before reading this book and came away with a greater appreciation for her unique personality and career. I especially enjoyed the chapter about the research that she did with Truman Capote leading to his writing In Cold Blood. I wish the book had been about 100 pages shorter, though. This seemed like one of those instances where the author is like, "Well, I spent so much time tracking down all of these facts that by golly I'm gonna use them all." A lot of extraneous details could have been cut to keep the pace moving along.
It seems like the author holds Lee in very high regard. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes I wondered if he was reluctant to pursue certain threads because he didn't want to besmirch her name in any way. For example, there is brief mention of the fact that Nelle's sister claimed that a burgler stole an almost complete manuscript but the veracity of that claim is not explored.
Reading this book also made me angry about the release of Go Set a Watchman. I'm highly skeptical that she actually wanted Go Set a Watchman to be published, or was fully aware of what was being proposed. I don't think someone so committed to protecting the legacy of To Kill a Mockingbird would have wanted what is basically a first draft of that book published. I guess this will just be a final unsolved mystery in her unusual story.
It seems like the author holds Lee in very high regard. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, but sometimes I wondered if he was reluctant to pursue certain threads because he didn't want to besmirch her name in any way. For example, there is brief mention of the fact that Nelle's sister claimed that a burgler stole an almost complete manuscript but the veracity of that claim is not explored.
Reading this book also made me angry about the release of Go Set a Watchman. I'm highly skeptical that she actually wanted Go Set a Watchman to be published, or was fully aware of what was being proposed. I don't think someone so committed to protecting the legacy of To Kill a Mockingbird would have wanted what is basically a first draft of that book published. I guess this will just be a final unsolved mystery in her unusual story.
rebbles's review against another edition
4.0
Harper Lee is a truly fascinating figure, if for no other reason than that she has refused any interviews in decades. Even without her input, Shields seems to give a comprehensive look into her personal history - her Alabama roots, childhood friendship with Truman Capote, and her meteoric rise to fame with her one and only novel.
bwluvs2read's review against another edition
4.0
If people are still going to teach To Kill a Mockingbird, they need to teach it with excerpts of this book. To Kill a Mockingbird should not be taught as the definitive novel on race in the South in the 20th century. It is a snapshot of one experience and really only serves to confirm the awfulness of white supremacy, and it is written by a white woman. This book helps to demonstrate that.
caoimhin42's review against another edition
3.0
Well written book, interesting but - for me - not engaging enough to be able to finish. On to the next book group selection with no regrets on this one.