Harper Lee – Author Of My Favorite Book Passes Away

So sad to hear that Harper Lee has passed away.  The author of my favorite book, "To Kill A Mockingbird" died at the age of 89.  She won a Pulitzer Prize in 1961 for "Mockingbird" which up until just a few years ago was believed to be the only book she ever wrote. 

Her death comes just a few month after the release of a sequel to "Mockingbird".  Harper Lee apparently wrote both books at about the same time, but kept "Go Set A Watchman" under wraps for decades until she was encouraged to release it.  Atticus Finch is portrayed in a completely different light in the sequel and it caused a lot of controversy.

Atticus was the hero in "Mockingbird".  A man who stood up to racial injustice, prejudice and ignorance in a fictional town in the southern United States in the 1930's.  Even as a kid the story inspired me.  It's the most memorable book I've ever read and the movie  was true to the story.  Gregory Peck's portrayal of Atticus won an Academy Award for best actor.

Because the sequel revisits the characters years later and portrays Atticus in a completely different light....as a racist....at least that's what I hear, I just can't bring myself to read it.  I don't know that I could ever handle thinking of Atticus Finch in any other way than the way he was in "Mockingbird".  I suppose I'll read it some day, but it would make me sad to think of Atticus as a bigot.

I'll always be thankful to Harper Lee for enriching my life with her brilliant masterpiece.