Several people have pinged me about the announcement of Harper Lee’s new novel. It’s based on a recently-discovered manuscript that she wrote in mid-50’s and takes place 20 years after To Kill A Mockingbird.
I think just about everyone has already read and commented on this post but I thought I’d rerun it. It’s the reason why people are reaching out to me with this wonderful news. It explains who I am and why I’m typing these words right now. I’d be a hot mess if it weren’t for her.
Today is the 50th anniversary of the publication of To Kill a Mockingbird. It’s the single most important book in my life.
I didn’t read a book until I was 20 years old. It’s true! They attempted to force-feed me while attending my below-average schools, but I made it clear that I would only read a book under protest and made every effort to not finish it. I usually succeeded.
Flash to age 20. I’m in the Coast Guard (no University for me, thanks!) and freshly arrived in New York City. I didn’t know a soul. I’d not felt so isolated and all alone before or since. At that time, New York was a dirty, overwhelming, scary mess. But I got sick of sitting around and staring at my shoelaces, so I decided to go exploring.
I took the R train from Whitehall up to Central Park. On the way, I passed a street peddler who was selling books. I gave birth to, what I imagined was, the most original and exciting idea ever conceived. I was going to sit in the park and read a book. I thought that voluntarily reading a book was a courageous act.
I looked over the books spread out on the sidewalk (I can still picture them to this day) and saw a tattered, worn paperback of To Kill a Mockingbird. I remembered that some of my friends in school had to read it, so I thought I’d give it a try. Plus, it was thin and that appealed to me.
I sat down on a Central Park bench, opened the book and began reading. I was a different man when I got up off that bench. It was a defining moment. That book sucked me in and I haven’t stopped reading since. It opened a door for me. I became a reader because of To Kill a Mockingbird. What a gift!
In 2005 I got the notion to write to Harper Lee and tell her how much her book meant to me. I wrote that, because of her book, I’m living a more interesting life than someone without a college degree could have expected to. I wrote that I’m a better father to my daughters and honestly don’t know what would have become of me if her book hadn’t introduced me to reading.
Harper Lee is a recluse who shuns publicity. All I knew was that she lived in Monroeville, Alabama, so I sent the letter to Harper Lee, c/o Monroeville, AL. I never expected it to arrive, much less be read by her, but I had to get that off my chest.
Just a few short days after I sent my letter, I received the following:
The fact that I moved Harper Lee to write such an elegant thank-you note is meaningful to me. The funny coda is that a few days after that, I received ANOTHER note from Ms. Lee. She couldn’t remember whether or not she sent a thank-you note.
“Forgive me if this is a repeat letter; I’m old, my eyesight is failing and I’m FORGETFUL. I may have forgot that I replied to you, but I know one thing: I’ll never forget your letter. In 45 years of receiving fan mail, I never had a letter mean so much to me. Thank you for it.”
Happy birthday, Atticus. Thanks for saving me from a boring life.
Exile on Pain Street 
You must have fell over when you got her note in the mail! Sounds like you wrote quite the letter. And it was your first book — what a doozy of a book to pick! (sorry for the exclamation points but I’m just excited about this post….)
Thrilled doesn’t begin to describe it. I felt weirdly validated as a human being. Imagine someone so important in your life reaching out to acknowledge you. It’ll never happen again.
I can’t even imagine! And for her to be moved so much by your words – incredible.
Now that’s something. That’s fucking something.
She’s something. There’s no way the new book can be as powerful, could it?
It’s the literary world’s new Star Wars.
You’re not kidding, brother. I think the initial print run is going to be 2,000,000 copies. I’m not kidding. PLUS electronic copies. I’ll buy one.
P.S.: I’m attending a Nick Hornby reading tomorrow night at Barnes & Nobel.
AAAARGH!!! I mean, so happy for you.
Yes even without the
swearing it’s pretty darn
good…
Sorry. I got excited.
Hey no problem 🙂
He swears for emphasis. But he does it sparingly.
That’s amazing Mark – on many levels. When you posted this last time, I got a copy of the book , reread it and then watched the movie. Definitely a game changer
Thanks, Paul. I reread it not long ago terrified that it wouldn’t hold up to my expectations but I was as blown away as I was the first time I read it. What a relief!
I love this story, Mark. It is really heartwarming, and I’m glad I got to read it again. I like reposts a lot. Especially when you read a piece and then get to know a blogger and get to read it again. This piece was my introduction to your writing.
And I am really excited about the new book. I think.
While I don’t expect it to be another To Kill A Mockingbird—how could it be—I certainly hope the publisher knows what they’re doing. Who’s her editor?! Can you imagine trying to tell Harper Lee how to write a book?!
Oh wow, that’s amazing. I really don’t have any words. What a moment to cherish.
I’ve got her notes tucked away with copies of the letter I sent. I’ll never part with them. Never.
I wouldn’t either!
I love this story so much, I’m going to share it on Facebook.
Thanks, my little flower. You’re very generous.
I’m also tweeting it to FP. This deserves it.
You and I have never so much as exchanged comments on here. But you, sir, are the very first person I thought of when I read this news today because of this phenomenal story.
Thank you for sharing it with us. I hope you’re excited about today’s news.
It’s going to be so much fun reading that novel.
Hello, Matt! Nice of you to drop by. And nice of you to remember that one post from about four years ago. I wish they were ALL that memorable. Let’s both HOPE the book is fun to read.
I read this 20 minutes ago and it depressed me a little…
http://jezebel.com/be-suspicious-of-the-new-harper-lee-novel-1683488258
I certainly hope this isn’t a money grab by someone awful.
Oh this news gives me a heavy heart. However I can’t say that I’m not curious. I taught 8th grade communications and TKAM was one of my very favorite novels to read and discuss. TKAM has touched my life.
Ugh. I hope that’s not true. I’ve been reading for quite some time now that she’s very ill.
Really looking forward to this new book
Sadly, no chance of a signed first edition. No matter.
I reckon you told her what every celebrated author wants to hear – “your book didn’t just entertain me, it made me a better and wiser person”. I’m glad you were an adult when you first read it. It might not have had the same impact if you’d read it first at school.
It was the right book at the right time. If I had read it when they tried to force it on me, I doubt it would have meant anything at all.
WOW! Great story. Today is a special anniversary, indeed! 🙂
Welcome! I’ve seen you around the ether. Actually, the anniversary was a few years back. This is a repost. Still moves me to read it, though.
Right on Mark. Thanks for sharing, good story. My oldest got into reading partly from my wife being so voracious in reading to her, but also because of JK Rowling. And for that, and all the kids who JK touched in that way, it is really the greatest gift. Nothing like the feel of a paper book in your hands to open you in ways you didn’t know possible. Beautiful.
JK Rowling deserves every nickel of her fortune for that very reason. What’s a better gift than making someone excited about reading? Well…maybe some exceptionally good weed, but this is a close second.
O, my heart leapt reading Harper’s Letter to you. AMaaaaaaaaaaaAZING.
To Kill A Mockingbird…The Words…Atticus…Scout…Every sentence…Every metaphor…
shall live forever!!!!
WoW. what a great story!
That’s the most perfectly written book I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. And reread. Show, show, show. It’s all there.
An extremely rare, once-in-a- lifetime happening. I believe that she sent you that note because she was astute and could tell how genuine you are. Ms. Lee hated anything fake and I think that is one reason she shunned publicity and the public. She was and about the real deal and that is how you came across in your fan letter to her.
That is one piece of paper that needs protection. And from reading your posts I think some of Harper Lee has rubbed off on you. So what are you waiting for? Write for Pete’s sake, write that book even if it takes years.
Well, before that book I was a genuine dope. Thank God she wrote it. I wonder where I’d be otherwise?
I won’t attempt to book because I have a cataclysmic lack of ambition and a crippling fear of failure. The old one-two punch.
Ok, Mark. I’ll let you rest for now but by golly you have within yourself to be a writer. You are so much more interesting than 9/10 of the dreck that I’ve read on other blogs and these people self publish books or get a pub house to take on their book. All you need to do is write from your experiences. You fail if you never attempt anthing. I can understand the lack of ambition but how are you managing to put out these posts? I don’t have much ambition either and you are a few younger ( I think) than my son. I al old enough to be your mother or even grandmother. I blog to give my brain something to do. But I think that you blog becasuse you like to write even though it’s a short posting but for me your posts are always enjoyable.
~yvonne
Yvonne, that’s one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. I wonder how far I could have gone if I had a teacher who inspired me the way you just did? It’s always a bad idea to live in the past but I can’t help wondering what would have happened to me without a little guidance and a big boot in the ass. Thanks for that.
Wow what a powerful life changing moment in time for both of you I assume..
I think it’s safe to say that I was far more affected by her letter that she was by mine.
You never know. I’m really glad that you had the experience. 🙂
I have read that book SO many times … and now I have to hunt it out and read it again. You’re right, it’s remarkable. How is it possible to write that brilliantly … and, in a lifetime, produce only one book? It’s NOT possible; there must be other writing that she’s hiding … I just hope this upcoming one is good too.
I let years pass before I dared read it again. I had built it up to mythical proportions in my mind’s eye. I didn’t want to be disappointed. I finally reread it and was pleased to see it wasn’t an illusion. It wasn’t a youthful fantasy.
I don’t really have the words.
What’s this? The Great and Powerful Trent Lewin at a loss for words? The pillars have crumbled.
Indeed. I tried to think of something to say. Really couldn’t. Maybe no words necessary, but boy did I feel every bit of this post. As a crazy avid reader, as someone who’s hidden in that life but also been elevated by it, I hear what you are saying. But that expression of gratitude and the return notes, that is something truly truly special.
Reblogged this on Trent Lewin and commented:
I just heard the news of Harper Lee’s forthcoming 2nd novel, a sequel to “To Kill a Mockingbird”, then I read this blog post from Mark. You should read it too.
Thanks for the reblog, pal. This is the second reblog in about three weeks, isn’t it? People are going to talk about us behind our backs. Tee-hee.
Yup. I have only reblogged a handful of things ever, it’s not my cup of tea. And reblogging one person in a short time period, that’s very abnormal for me. But I loved that first post, and this one about reading and how it changed you – impossible not to extend that out. Impossible.
Now stop giggling like a little school girl!
Okay I have a few: what did you write her? Will you share?
I wrote her a longer version of what you see above. Thanks for your book. I was nothing but now I’m something.
You should totally post it some day, if you still have a copy. Some kind of special words would be needed to engender a response such as the one Ms. Lee provided.
Amazing, Mark. Wow, a letter from Harper Lee? And the letter she wrote is, as you said, elegant. This is a stunner! Yes, now you must share what your wrote, or do you remember?
Not only do I remember what I wrote, I have a copy of the letter! I’ve got it in a folder along with the two thank-you notes she sent and the envelopes they came in. I don’t know if it’s worth posting, though. I’m not sure it’s all that interesting. Her response is the real bell-ringer here.
Very impressed…by the story of how you came to read her book, of your decision to write her such an impactful letter, and that she wrote back to you…twice. Excellent.
Hello, Doobster. Nice to see you here. Everything happened at the exact right time; my reading her book and me finally getting up off my ass and writing to her. I had thought about it for years and years but never sat down at the typer and banged out a note. Until I did.
WOW! That’s bloody fantastic! You should have it framed! And what a wonderful story; to have an idea of reading a book and it changing your whole perception thereafter. A day that changed it all. Great post.
Thanks, Jules. Here’s the maniac book collector in me: I won’t frame it because to expose it to light would degradate the ink. The letter would eventually fade away. I pull it out a couple times a year and read the whole bundle. My letter and her two responses.
I think you can get special glass for that? I think…but I see your point. I hope you’ve scanned it several billion times, yes? Yes. Of course you have. And yoi should have a photograph of it taken in your hands and one with your face and the book and the letter so in a few hundred years time, when your family are sifting through the photos, they can say “Whoa…look at this cool guy! He got a letter from Harper Lee!”
“Oh him! Never mind that…have you read his journals?” Says the other….
I was shown a link to this on Twitter this morning and it made me so, so happy. What a wonderful thing to have happen, from discovering the book and loving it, and feeling change in yourself, to Harper Lee writing you back! I read this book as an adult and i’m glad I did, it’s firmly lodged in a special place in my heart and I love that so many others feel the same. Thank you for sharing your story.
Hi Lenny. Thanks for your note. You could have knocked me over with a breath when that note arrived. I remember pulling it out of the mailbox and just starring at the envelope. I knew what it was but I couldn’t believe my eyes.
Everyone should read that book, don’t you think?
I can imagine! I’d have been like a cartoon character with eyes on stalks.
Absolutely, I look forward to reading it again soon,
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my all-time favourite books. A book I think everyone should read. How awesome that it was your first! And getting two thank you notes fron Harper Lee… Even better.
After reading this, I feel like digging for my copy…
I highly recommend a reread. It’s as good as you remember it being. A masterpiece.
My teenage son just read it for school and now he has to write an essay. The tattered novel on the coffee table is evidence of how many kids before him have flipped through it (or maybe even read it). I love reading but I’ve never read it. You’ve inspired me…thanks.
It’s a rough book for teens. The ‘n’ word is used and when you see it in print it’s kind of shocking. It’s a superb read. Pick up a copy. You won’t be sorry.
I remember reading this! I hope my comment is consistent with my previous one. THAT IS SO COOL! Just a little bit of what we’re missing these days. I bet she read every single letter she got! Obviously it is important to send a thank you note. So very impressive! I should read that book huh?
I’ve always felt her thank-you was indicative of southern hospitality and charm. Who knows? She could’ve written thank-you notes to everyone. But that one is mine, and it’s special to me.
So we got the Hornby/Springsteen thing, dinner with John Martin and a load of Buk stuff, a letter from Harper Lee, two great kids and a lovely missus and you still have the nerve to get on here and bitch about shit? fucker… i’d say you have a bit of a charmed life you bastard and i mean that in the nicest way possible from a motherfucker like me… funny i never thought to write to an author who wrote something that moved me that much, i mean most of my favorites were dead already but even the living ones it never dawned on me… and stop with the college bullshit, it’s over-rated, i recently found a dusty old box with my degree in it, i laughed, in fact last night i sat at the dinner table and told the boyos that i expected them to go to college and i expected them to get an education and not worry about a “career”, study art, literature, philosophy, music, architecture whatever but please don’t major in business… how’s that for shit parenting?
I really love that you told me to fuck off. I’m not kidding. Everyone needs to be told to fuck off every once in a while, especially when they deserve it. But you’re wrong about college. Trying to find a job without a degree was painful and difficult. And that was BEFORE they had software to screen out applicants without degrees. It was very rough going for a few years, so don’t discount that degree. Employers don’t even care if it’s related to the work your’re applying for. They just want to know that you went.
I want my daughters to be artistically inclined but I kinda hope they marry actuary accountants.
You’re a fucking rockstar… (speechless)
With gray hair. 😉
Color me jealous, what a spectacular thing to have in your possession.
I was worried when I saw her name trending online, so I am very glad that this was the news. I was afraid for the worst, or that she was in a battle over her unauthorized biographer again.
She’s pretty old and hasn’t been in the best health so your fears were justified. I thought the same thing, myself. Let’s hope the book really is her idea and that it’s not estate chicanery going on. I think there have been some whispers.
And here you are…years later…paying it forward. Because of this post, and the heart behind it, others will read her masterpiece for the first time and think about it, talk about it, share it. And others still, re-read it with a new set of eyes, from a different place in their lives, and know just how powerful a tome it is, and think about it, talk about it, share it. THIS, is how true works of art are kept alive. I hope you see how you’ve made a difference too. 🙂 Now…I’m off to re-read my own well used copy of this treasure.
Can you imagine discovering that book for the first time as an adult? A completely different level of appreciation and approach. Reading something because you HAD TO is always different than a voluntary read. It doesn’t take away any of the enjoyment but what a thrill that first read is. There’s a pleasure we’ll never know again.
I agree with you completely. Required reading is a double edged sword, no matter how well intended. That kind of force fed education can breed students who miss the forest for the trees…they see the words but miss the story.
I’m just shocked you were able to graduate without reading a book.
I didn’t refer to it as my ‘below-average’ school for the sake of levity. That’s exactly what it was.
What an incredible keepsake! My grandmother was a high school English teacher who used to encourage me to read the “classics”. To appease her, I read Little Women, absolutely HATED IT, and subsequently swore off all other “old fashioned” books. Then high school came along, and we spent 2 months on To Kill a Mockingbird in my freshman English class discussing the symbolism, tracing themes, and debating the trial – I’m pretty sure I still have my highlighted/underlined copy somewhere. I’ll have to do back and find it.
I always read the classics when I’m stuck for something to read. First of all, because I missed out on college, I didn’t read many of them in my youth. Second, they don’t call them classics for nothing. They’re almost always a satisfying read.
Wait a minute…you read Little Women BEFORE you got to high school? Isn’t that too much too soon? Also, I think it’s a mistake to look at a book too closely. To dissect it to its every small nuance robs you of the visceral thrill. It becomes too much of an academic study.
My goal is to read more of the classics this year. On my list: Jane Eyre, The Sound and the Fury, and Appointment in Samarra. I tried reading the Great Gatsby in middle school and again in high school, but haven’t been able to get through it. Maybe this is my year for that one too.
I read it when I was…11 maybe? 12? I learned to read pretty young and have always liked it. For me, dissecting a book can be helpful. I tend to read quickly (especially once I get to the good part!) and sometimes I miss important details.
Insert obligatory quip about tequila.
Someone had to do it. It figures it was you.
That’s a beautiful story. I’m glad Lee’s book meant so much to you and made your life better. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Rami. A testament to the power of literature to transform.
Don’t I know it! Hope you keep finding wonderful and transformative books (if you haven’t read it, I’d check out The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho).
Wow that’s amazing I had to stop and read this and glad I did. This book is on my bookshelf today and has been for many years. What a keepsake !
Is it sitting on your bookshelf unread? I hope not! Worth a reread, for that matter.
Oh no I have read it !
Imagine my relief.
Great read !
I read it a long time ago !
Lovely story – I haven’t read the book, but now I am going to read it in the same way Harper Lee’s novel has developed your reading, thus your life (as you say)
You must read it and report back to me. And be honest. I can take it. If it didn’t work for you, say so. We all have different likes. That’s why they invented menus.
I’ve always believed that if you write from the heart, no matter what you write, it will always resonate with whoever reads it. Thank you for affirming this.
The letter was certainly written from a soft spot. I just wish that soft spot knew how to punctuate better. Maybe the grittiness appealed to her. At any rate, all’s well in the end.
Don’t worry about punctuation; soft spot couldn’t care less about that 😉
Reblogged this on katie writes stuff.
Thanks for the reblog! I owe you $1.
How cool, very!
The coolest thing that ever happened to me, actually. It’ll be tough to top.
Reblogged this on The Coffee Sweetheart.
Spreading the word. Thanks for that. Huzzah to the blogging community.
TKAM was so important to me growing up. I can’t tell you how excited I am !
I knew virtually nothing about it until I read that beat-up copy. Imagine my surprise!
FRESHLY PRESSED!!! Awesome. I’m so happy for you, Mark!
And are you ready for this? I didn’t pay a dime for the privilege!
The best things in life are priceless.
What a beautiful story. Thank you so much for sharing it. I have two daughters that read voraciously, but my son (who is almost 16) hardly ever touches a book. I am so inspired by your story and I will definitely share it with him. I’m assuming you framed that thank-you letter!
Thanks, Trina. Has your son read the Harry Potter series? That got a lot of boys reading. He just needs to find the right genera and he’ll be off to the races.
It it NOT framed. I’m a book collector and light is bad for ink. It fades it. The note and my letter are well preserved and tucked away.
My daughters were obsessed with the Harry Potter series and I have wonderful memories of my son running back and forth between separate rooms where each of my girls were reading from those books aloud. And that makes perfect sense about your Harper Lee note. I’m sure you’re taking excellent care of it!
Yes! Yes! Yes yes yes! Freshly Pressed baby!
Imagine that. It didn’t take that long at all!
Ha! Listen, today the world feels like a good good place full of righteous vibes. Sweet.
YESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reblogged this on The Bumble Files and commented:
Mark over at Exile on Pain Street just got Freshly Pressed for his post about how Harper Lee saved him. Did you know he received a letter from her? Oh, what a thrill! Congrats, Mark! Excellent post.
Dare I say long-deserved? I have to, simply have to. I could not honestly be happier if I were Freshly-Pressed myself. So so so well-deserved, I would take half your posts and freshly press them if it were up to me. A post like this, so simple and utterly heartfelt, so moving and amazing, without splooging your guts all over the place and being over-dramatic… just writing and simply telling a story for the ages. So bang on. I’m going to retire from reading blog posts for the next week, I am so bloody happy for you Mark. You so totally deserve this, you deserve the attention. Now learn to take a compliment, man!
May I revel in a moment of false modesty? I know that people complain that being Fresh Pressed doesn’t really mean what it used to. That its impact has lessened. But I’m very happy it finally happened. As I hit publish, the thought popped into my head that if this doesn’t get FPd, then nothing I write ever will. I’ve always loved this post. Good content. Mostly correct punctuation. Thanks for your kind words, brother. I suddenly have no problem accepting compliments. I’ve let them wash over me.
Dude – enjoy every moment. This was a phenomenal post. I swear when I saw it up in the FP reader, I nearly had a blogasm. I said this to Amy, it felt like my team had just won the World Series. Weird analogy, I know. I will now let you get back to answering comments of people who didn’t already know you were an awesome writer.
A great story is meant to be told and re-told through the ages, so thanks for this!
I’m not big on reposting old material but I couldn’t let this post just die with the news of her new book. Hope that whole thing works out okay.
Oh yay! Freshly Pressed! Time for a partaaaayyyy!!! Really pleased for you Mark, I know this will mean a lot to you (being FPd I mean, not the fact that I’m pleased for you, hehe). NOW do you believe that you write good stuff? 😉 It is a really great story, and so timely now, I hadn’t read the post previously.
I remember when you were FP’d and how happy you were. It’s a thrill, there’s no doubt. And it doesn’t cost a dime! I don’t know if this is the healthiest place to look for validation but today, I’ll take it.
Reblogged this on SheaSwainWrites and commented:
I believe in the beauty of words.
Lovely.
Isn’t she?