Great American Authors | Harper Lee: Mockingbird | 6
Dec 27, 2023
auto_awesome
Harper Lee, author of 'To Kill a Mockingbird,' discusses her rise to fame and the pressure to produce a second book. The podcast explores Lee's childhood, friendship with Truman Capote, the evolution of her manuscript, and her role in assisting Capote with 'In Cold Blood.' It also delves into her health, legal actions, and the discovery of her previously unseen manuscript, 'Go Set a Watchman.'
Harper Lee became overwhelmed by fame and resisted publishing another book after the success of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.
Lee's upbringing and friendship with Truman Capote shaped her views on justice, influencing her writing career.
Deep dives
The Process of Publishing 'To Kill a Mockingbird'
In the spring of 1957, Nell Harper Lee submitted her manuscript 'Go Set a Watchman' to several New York publishers. Editor Tae Hohoff saw the promise in the work and helped Lee reshape it into the breakout novel 'To Kill a Mockingbird.' The book became an instant success, sparking debate about racial injustice and bringing attention to small-town southern life. Lee, however, did not publish another book and resisted the fame and attention surrounding her work.
Lee's Childhood and Relationship with Truman Capote
Harper Lee was born in Monroeville, Alabama, in 1926. She formed a close friendship with Truman Capote, who became a successful writer. Lee and Capote spent their childhood playing and writing stories together, with Lee showing early signs of a talent for writing. Lee's father, AC Lee, a lawyer, influenced her views on the power of the law and the need for justice.
Lee's Journey to Becoming a Writer
After trying her hand at law school, Lee dropped out and moved to New York City in hopes of becoming a writer. She struggled to make ends meet, working odd jobs while pursuing her passion for writing. Eventually, she received a year off from her job to focus on her craft, thanks to the support of friends, and wrote her first draft of what would become 'To Kill a Mockingbird.'
Controversies and Legacy
Though 'To Kill a Mockingbird' was hailed as a classic and won the Pulitzer Prize, it also faced criticism. Some argued that the book lacked nuanced portrayal of racism and failed to address systemic issues. Lee's later life was marked by lawsuits, controversies, and doubts about her mental condition. 'Go Set a Watchman,' a previously unknown manuscript, caused further debates about Lee's intentions and legacy.
In 1949, aspiring writer Nelle Harper Lee moved from her home in small-town Alabama to New York City. She was following in the footsteps of her childhood friend, author Truman Capote. Within a few years she had penned a novel of her own, and called it To Kill a Mockingbird.
To Kill a Mockingbird catapulted Harper Lee to the heights of literary fame. But just as she found success, she withdrew, overwhelmed by being in the public eye, and the pressure to produce another book as good as her first. Decades would pass before anyone mentioned the possibility of her publishing again - and this time, people wondered how much of a voice she really had in the publication of her second book.