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Literature Text
I was intrigued when I heard that Harper Lee was publishing a sequel to 'To Kill a Mockingbird'. And I was more than somewhat appalled when I learned that Atticus Finch had become a racist. But one night, I suddenly had the compulsion to see what the ruckus was about.
My local library didn't have the hard copy yet. It did have the audiobook, performed by Reese Witherspoon.
First, listening to Reese’s reading was a pleasure. Second, Harper Lee has lost none of her storytelling prowess. It took me back, both to the experience of reading To Kill A Mockingbird, and the nostalgia of growing up in a small rural town, even though my hometown was in Michigan.
Without giving away any details, there are heartbreaking departures and demises of major characters from the first book. And the rumors are true; Atticus has become a racist. How he got there is related with upsetting credibility. And the and the character from whose perspective the story is told, Scout? She has grown into a mature young lady, with none of her keen insight impaired. She has attained the full measure of her father’s humanitarian sensibilities.
And Ms. Lee’s personal take on the cultural transitions in the 1960’s has direct application the cultural transitions of the 2010’s; the mores are easing up, but this is not an unmixed good, even as the strictness of the former days was not completely detrimental; what people can exhibit in terms of changing gender identity and domestic arrangement is tolerated more; but bureaucracy hs grown both more faceless and more pervasive. And kindheartedness is less than it was; your neighbors will care less who you hook up with; they will also care less if you break your leg or lose your job.
My recommendation to readers is to ignore the snide internet chatter about Harper Lee having to sell another book in her sunset years to shore up her flagging fortunes; that may indeed be the case, but this book is no hack job. Further ignore any belittling book reviews about twice-told tales and authors past their prime. Such literary critics are dilettantes; Ms. Lee is not. This book is a delicious and nutritious treat, both emotionally compelling and consciousness-raising; readers should bestir themselves to go and partake liberally of the feast.
My local library didn't have the hard copy yet. It did have the audiobook, performed by Reese Witherspoon.
First, listening to Reese’s reading was a pleasure. Second, Harper Lee has lost none of her storytelling prowess. It took me back, both to the experience of reading To Kill A Mockingbird, and the nostalgia of growing up in a small rural town, even though my hometown was in Michigan.
Without giving away any details, there are heartbreaking departures and demises of major characters from the first book. And the rumors are true; Atticus has become a racist. How he got there is related with upsetting credibility. And the and the character from whose perspective the story is told, Scout? She has grown into a mature young lady, with none of her keen insight impaired. She has attained the full measure of her father’s humanitarian sensibilities.
And Ms. Lee’s personal take on the cultural transitions in the 1960’s has direct application the cultural transitions of the 2010’s; the mores are easing up, but this is not an unmixed good, even as the strictness of the former days was not completely detrimental; what people can exhibit in terms of changing gender identity and domestic arrangement is tolerated more; but bureaucracy hs grown both more faceless and more pervasive. And kindheartedness is less than it was; your neighbors will care less who you hook up with; they will also care less if you break your leg or lose your job.
My recommendation to readers is to ignore the snide internet chatter about Harper Lee having to sell another book in her sunset years to shore up her flagging fortunes; that may indeed be the case, but this book is no hack job. Further ignore any belittling book reviews about twice-told tales and authors past their prime. Such literary critics are dilettantes; Ms. Lee is not. This book is a delicious and nutritious treat, both emotionally compelling and consciousness-raising; readers should bestir themselves to go and partake liberally of the feast.
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