Harper Lee (Up Close)

Read Kerry Madden's posts on the Penguin Blog.

Nelle Harper Lee€s To Kill a Mockingbird was published in 1960 and became an instant bestseller. Two years later it was an Academy Award€“ winning film. Today, it remains standard€"and beloved€"reading in English classes. But Lee never wanted €œthe book€ to define who she was, which explains her aversion to any kind of publicity. Kerry Madden conducted extensive research for this Up Close biography, which reveals Lee to be a down-to-earth Southern woman who prefers to live simply, like her neighbors do, despite the fact that she is a treasured literary legend. Madden€s in-depth biography is now more relevant than ever: 2015€s historic release of Go Set a Watchman€"written by Lee before To Kill a Mockingbird and lost for decades€"has thrust Lee and her work back into the spotlight.

A Booklist Top Ten Biography of 2009

A Kirkus Best Book of 2009