The Great American Novel...
With the passing of Harper Lee on February 19th 2016, I
thought it would be appropriate to showcase her first and only real great
achievement, To Kill A Mockingbird. Yes, she did write another book, a sequel so
to speak, that was released in July of 2015 but it is merely a first draft of
her one and only success...Mockingbird...
Perhaps no other book has been as successful in making a
difference. Aside from Black Like Me, which is a true to life,
documentary narrative, Lee's book exposed what was going on "down
South" in an entertaining format that brought the power of reform to
America through storytelling. She won
the Pulitzer on her first try (just like Angela's
Ashes) and her book went on to be regarded as a seminal piece of American
History and Literature. From the players
to the underlying theme of racism and the treatment of American Blacks, To Kill A Mockingbird brought about real
change, creating real law that broke the back of Jim Crow and influenced many
to seek Law as a career with Atticus Finch serving as their role model.
Finding a first edition of To Kill A Mockingbird will not be an inexpensive venture, but you can acquire a later printing...still
a first edition, but much less costly than the multiple thousands you would
have to spend for a 1st Edition/1st Printing.
Ebay would be a good start. This
is such an important work, one that is crucial to the American Character, that
you really need to read it, or read it again...first edition copy or not. Lee's second book, released in 2015, is quite
plentiful, and a first edition/first printing copy of Go Set A Watchman can be readily found.