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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
This was a very interesting look at an Alabama scandal, paired with the story of Harper Lee. I learned a lot about the author of my favorite novel, and I can’t help but wish she had been able to finish a second novel. The trial and crimes in the first part of the book seem the stuff of story rather than real life. But man, it was definitely fascinating.
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
medium-paced
The first half is a jaw-dropping true crime story. The next quarter is a biography of Harper Lee, which will be of interest to fans of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Nice to see the editor being given proper credit. The last quarter is about Lee's struggles to write a book about the true crimes. Since writer's block means nothing much is happening, this is the weakest part of the book.
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This felt like three distinct stories vs a novel. The first two, Rev. Maxwell and his attorney Big Tom, were more connected that the portion of Harper Lee. The impression I had of Part 3 on Harper Lee, was the author wanted to write a biography on her but didn't have enough material and wove it into this story. The author did not have access to the information or notes took at the trial of Maxwell, which may have made it feel less connected. This book did re-infuriate me on Harper's lawyer, after the death of her sister, on releasing Go Set a Watchman. It seemed more evident that it was never Lee's intent to publish.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
4.25 stars
“Ghost bells, war cries, the clanging of slave chains: if ever a land came by its haunting honestly it is eastern Alabama.”
“Ghost bells, war cries, the clanging of slave chains: if ever a land came by its haunting honestly it is eastern Alabama.”
informative
slow-paced