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May 22, 2005
Whatever Happened to Harper Lee.
A PASSAGE FROM Stephen King's On Writing came to mind upon reading of Haper Lee's brief appearance to recieve an award from the L.A. Public Library.
After giving examples of prolific authors, King gets to wondering about those who write so few novels, particularly Lee, who wrote all of one book, To Kill A Mockingbird, in 1960:
I always wonder two things about [authors like Lee]: how long did it take them to write the books they did write, and what did they do the rest of the time? Knit afghans? Organize church bizaars?... I'm probably being snotty here, but I am also, believe me, honestly curious. If God gives you something you can do, why in God's name wouldn't you do it? [emphasis in original]
Worthy questions, no matter what you think of King. The case of Lee is particularly interesting - she won a Pulitzer for her only novel - and it's made more enigmatic by her only public words at the event:
"I'll say it again. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart."
Shy character? Disgust of the media? Fear of being unable to top her first novel? It may be a number of things, but I suspect this is a poorer world because of it.
Posted by DU at May 22, 2005 3:11 PM
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