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 
That’s so awesome!
It hit me like a ton of bricks.
Yeah, what an awesome story.. That’s so kind of both of you, and what a lost treasure the thank you note is.
What a beautiful world it would be if we all leapt to make statements of kindness and gratitude permanent with intentional abandon.
I wish it were so common that it didn’t make for a special blog post. I with it was too ordinary to mention.
This is not about any specific book but about the THE ACT OF READING itself. It saved my life too. The intricacies and the mystery of the written word. Such countless pleasures and comfort it had given me.
But for me, it was the right specific book at the exact right moment. I wonder what would have happened to me if I had chosen any other book on that sidewalk? What path I would have taken instead of the one I’m on?
It’s coincidental that only last night my son asked me if I had a copy of To KIll a Mockingbird as he had not read it. Of course I do, its one book that has stayed with me over all these years. His reason for reading it was because of the news of another Harper Lee coming out. We then had one of our discussions about who would play who and what the new novel might be about so thanks for clearing some of that mystery up.
I can remember that as a teacher I had a class once during which the most lively of discussions occurred generated from our reading of TKAM. Never once in the all the years of reading this novel and watching the wonder portrayal of Atticus have I not been drawn to tears by the scene where Scout meets Boo Radley. Thanks for reminding me of those wonderful words of Harper Lee and how good is it that this one novel had such a profound impact on you. Michael.
Thanks for that very elegant comment, Michael. They say there ARE NO coincidences but I’m not so sure. Maybe it’s just the universe playing games with us. Have you reread it recently? I went years and years without rereading it, fearing that I had built it up into something too grand to be real. But I was wholly satisfied when I read it last year. As good as it was all those years ago.
I often re read bits now and then. For a first and only novel it’s a remarkable piece of writing. I have taught it number of times over the years.
Truly amazing to me! I’ve always loved to read, since I was a wee one [that was quite a long time ago!!]. I’m very glad Someone whispered to you to pick THAT particular book.
I mourn for all the wasted years I didn’t read but I’ve been doing my damnedest to make up for lost time. I’m happy to report that BOTH of my daughters are voracious readers. The complete opposite of how I was when I was young.
Reblogged this on Morpethroad and commented:
This is a wonderful story. It is just amazing what impact this novel has had on so many. One of my all time favourite novels. Plus evidence of a wonderful response from Harper Lee. This post is well worth sharing.
Thanks for the reblog. Sharing is caring!
Wonderful! I’m glad she and you created a beautiful memory for each other. Congrats on being Freshly Pressed.
Who know if my letter actually made it into some archive of hers. No matter. She was moved at the time she read it and that’s good enough for me. And thanks for the FP congrats. It’s actually something I’ve been wanting for a long, long time.
Oh Mark… how cool! I can’t imagine what it would be like to get something so sweet from such a well known author. It must feel surreal! It is amazing how one book can change your life! 🙂
I can tell you it knocked me flat on my ass when I saw the envelope. I knew exactly what it was before I even opened it. I stood there in my kitchen in stunned silence.
The gift that keeps on giving. I hope you enjoy the prequel new release, my friend. Pretty cool news, that. Harper Lee is a true ace, sending you a letter such as that. Way to move her with your genuine spirit back then, Mark.
I don’t mean to sound like a gloomy gus but I actually have very modest expectations for the new book. Her editor probably told her to try a new track for a good reason. It might read like something written by a young, inexperienced author.
But maybe, hell, most likely, the genius was there already, Mark, just needing bulking and refining. I think it’ll be interesting to see her raw roots.
Reblogged this on Love in all its glory. .
Amy Reese flagged this for me, and I’m glad she did. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the books that has stuck with me, and I was glad and surprised to hear that another book by Harper Lee is getting published. Your story IS moving, and what a thrill to get not only one, but two, notes back from her!
Amy is the best. She one of my biggest cheerleaders. What do you do with someone like that?!
The second note was sweet. It was written on notebook paper with huge lines. It was clear her eyesight was going and she needed all that extra space to see what she was doing.
Reblogged this on strangepress.
Reblogged this on rowanbrighteyes33.
Reblogged this on M.T. Miles.
Wonderful story. I’m happy for you that you read her book, took the time to write her and of course, that she responded.
That book fell into my lap. It’s handed to most people in school but it, literally, found its way to me. Strange how that worked out.
Give me an interaction with a favorite author over a celebrity any day. How amazing!
I didn’t see it coming. I can tell you that much.
This is so wonderful to read. Thank you for sharing your story. Her book was probably the first piece of fiction to open my eyes to books.
That book still sells thousands and thousands of copies every year. You and I aren’t the only ones inspired.
Best tribute I could make is to direct readers of my blog to your writing. I’m glad your efforts were brought to my attention.
That’s very kind of you. Thanks. I hope people are as floored over this as I was. Am. How many authors of her stature would bother with a thank-you note? Damn few, is my guess.
I’m thinking she was good at spotting B.S. and realized that your note was genuine. Authors are humans, too, I guess. After reading her book, I’m not surprised that she responded to your thank you.
Still grinning madly over this – and have my fingers crossed that the ‘new’ book is fabulous!
All day long I’ve been reading reports of how she’s out of it and not really aware of what’s being done. I hope that’s not true but I suppose it could be.
Yes, it’s quite worrisome to step back from our “excitement” and wonder if this is what Lee wants.
The second guessing has begun.
Wow, that is really something. To reach out to a famous, significant author, especially one of those who values their privacy, and to have them not just respond, but to tell you what your letter meant to them. That is a very special gift.
It is special. And kudos to the U. S. Post Office! The address couldn’t have been more vague.
Oh, the perfect memories of reading To kill a Mockingbird– picture this- I was 61 and a lovely teacher read it to me.
The one and only. I hope people aren’t expecting the new book (and I use the term ‘new’ very loosely) to be as good. It can’t be.
A book could be a life in progress and reverse. I have been somewhere near as accusations – illegal and incorrect- ruined peoples lives. To Kill a Mockingbird is the essence. I read some as a lad – truly loved a well written book that could take us away.
What a blessing! Congratulations to you and Lee for such a touching experience.
I just needed to vent. Her follow-up was the real miracle.
Reblogged this on Izzy-grabs-life and commented:
A rare experience that touched my heart. “Harper Lee” can’t help but be a blessing, and how great that someone else (who she didn’t know) was able to move her in return.
LOVE THIS post! TKAM was also an instrumental read for me as well. Recently re-read as an adult, brought tears. Very inspiring!
Thanks for your note. I was kind of thick as a kid and am glad this didn’t get tossed into my path until a little later on I don’t think I would’ve had the proper depth of appreciation in high school.
Pretty cool
Reblogged this on Doll Talk.
Reblogged this on Globalbizdynamics4’s Blog.
wow I just talked about this with a couple of friends.
What?! That Harper Lee wrote a thank-you note to me?! That’s astonishing. What are the odds?
Reblogged this on serenitydovemason.
Great
great post
Reblogged this on Quizzically Challenged and commented:
No words to express. I loved reading TKAM–still do. Looking forward to the sequel!
As I expected and feared, the second guessing has begun.
I’ve only recently read To Kill A Mockingbird for the first time at age 37! Although I’m yet to discover the exact significance for me, it does seem more than coincidence she’s releasing her prequel this year, and that I’ve stumbled across this post. What I do know is that it was an extraordinary book from an extraordinary writer and you must have written a very special letter to receive such a response. Congratulations and good luck on your path.
Thank you for your thoughtful words. There are advantages to not reading this book (or other classics) until your an adult. You have a much deeper grasp of drama. Your life experiences give you perspectives that you never would have has in high school. I have no regrets about missing out the first time. I’m just glad I got a second chance.
I so want to read that letter you wrote. Must have been something! Also, thank you for the nudge. I’m going to read it right now! Keep posting awesome stuff! 🙂
Hi Tanaya. Thanks for your comment. I’ve had a couple people inquire about my letter to her. Hell, maybe I should just post the damn thing. I’m afraid it’d be anticlimactic.
Or it might lead to an even better climax! To think that simple words written from the heart could have this effect! Wow.
Wow! Wow for your letter as well as hers. I used to teach sophomore English, and that was one of the books in our curriculum. Always a favorite of mine and my students.
I worked on my letter to her diligently but I sure didn’t think I’d get such a heartfelt response. Took me by surprise. That book is perfectly written. Show, show, show.
Wow! Multiple congratulations are in order! First and foremost, congrats on being FP’d!! Secondly, how amazing is it that your letter so moved an author of that caliber? Awesome.
Thanks, Scott. I feel like I won a beauty pageant. If I wasn’t so humble all this would go to my head. I kinda always wanted to be FP’d even though people say it’s not what it used to be. No matter. I’m grateful.
Being recognized and seeing your post on that front page is an amazing feeling, and I’m glad you got to experience it. I honestly thought you had been pressed once before. This was long overdue.
Reblogged this on Little Finger Dump.
It should have been a great experience! A writer writing personally to you!
I can tell you that I didn’t see it coming. It hit me like a knockout punch. I still get a thrill when I read that note.
This is a great post, your letter is terrific, congratulations to be freshly pressed 😊😊😊
Thank you for your congrats. Being Fresh Pressed pleases me greatly. It’s probably not healthy to look for validation via the WordPress editors but I’m only human. We all want the attention.
Lovely post ! 🙂
Thanks, Mandy. Glad you enjoyed it. No charge!
Wow, that must have been a very powerful thank-you note. Congrats on giving Harper Lee a special memory and for being pressed.
That note shook me to my core. Who could anticipate such a thing!? It’s one of my prized possessions. A piece of paper more valuable than gold.
Just wow! I can’t fathom how it feels to receive a response letter from the author who’s books mean sooo much to me. Thank you sharing.
Thanks. That note arrived almost 10 years ago to the day and it still floors me when I pull it out for a reread (which is every time I’m blue and need a pick-me-up).
What a truly heart-warming story. You’re one impressive fellow to see the world as you do. Or at least, as you do now. Somebody made a difference in your life, and in an unexpected way, you made a difference in theirs.
I’m so glad I read this piece.
Lovely words, lovely job.
Thanks for your comment. Who could anticipate such an event? I was minding my own business, just trying to find my way around New York and out of nowhere my life is changed. Just like that! I wonder where I’d be if I hadn’t read that book? Somewhere a lot less interesting than where I wound up, I suppose.
What a cool experience…and a classy note to treasure!
That note will become a family heirloom. I hope there’s no fighting over it after I’m gone!
Reblogged this on mhrain.
Reblogged this on pjsecluded's Blog.
I love To Kill A Mockingbird! And with this post, I love Harper Lee more. What a great person! 🙂
That note is enough to restore my faith in humanity and think that all the negativity of the world doesn’t stand a chance against all the good will that’s around us.
Reblogged this on dammitmariney.
That is truly amazing.
Thank for reading. 10 years later and it still knocks me down.
Reblogged this on ahmedghazali.