Second Harper Lee Novel To Be Published in July 2015

[Wesley Harris]

(02-03-2015 07:26 PM)Linda Anderson Wrote:  There is controversy regarding the publication of her new book. From today's New York Times:

"Some critics and observers were skeptical of Ms. Lee’s role in approving the deal. All of Harper’s communication with Ms. Lee about the new book came through her lawyer, Ms. Carter, and her literary agent, Andrew Nurnberg, including the statement she gave expressing her delight that the novel would finally be published, according to Jonathan Burnham, senior vice president and publisher of Harper...

"Ms. Lee suffered a stroke in 2007 and has been living in an assisted living facility. Her sister, Alice Lee, a lawyer who was her companion and her protector from the prying eyes of the public, died a few months ago...

"Ms. Lee has occasionally addressed the question of why she never published another book after “To Kill A Mockingbird.” She has said she found the publicity surrounding “To Kill a Mockingbird” overwhelming, and that she felt one novel was enough.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/04/books/...-news&_r=0

Wonder if there's any link between the unexpected appearance of this novel and the fact that a journalist moved in next door to Harper Lee for 18 months, publishing "The Mockingbird Next Door: Life with Harper Lee" late last year. Seems odd that a book about Lee and a book by Lee come out months apart after she hasn't published anything for 50 years.

I put "To Kill a Mockingbird" in my top five best novels ever.