Mockingbird Songs

<p>An indelible portrait of one of the most famous and beloved authors in the canon of American literature--a collection of letters between Harper Lee and one of her closest friends that reveals the famously private writer as never before in her own words.</p><p>The violent racism of the American South drove Wayne Flynt away from his home state of Alabama but the publication of <em>To Kill a Mockingbird</em> Harper Lee's classic novel about courage community and equality inspired him to return in the early 1960s and craft a career documenting and teaching Alabama history. His writing resonated with many Alabamians in particular three sisters: Louise Alice and Nelle Harper Lee. Beginning with their first meeting in 1983 a mutual respect and affection for the state's history and literature matured into a deep friendship between two families who can trace their roots there back more than five generations. </p><p>Flynt and Nelle Harper Lee began writing to one other while she was living in New York--heartfelt insightful and humorous letters in which they swapped stories information and opinions on topics both personal and professional: their families books Alabama history and social values health concerns and even their fears and accomplishments. Though their earliest missives began formally--Dear Dr. Flynt--as the years passed and their mutual admiration grew their exchanges became more intimate and emotional opening with Dear Friend and closing with I love you Nelle. Through their enduring correspondence the Lees and the Flynts became completely immersed in each other's lives.</p><p>Beautifully written intelligent and telling this remarkable compendium of their letters--a correspondence that lasted for a quarter century from 1992 until Harper Lee's death in February 2016--offers an incisive and compelling look into the mind heart and work of one of the most beloved authors in modern literary history.</p>