Kerry Madden's writing about the life of Harper Lee worried me in the beginning. The first few chapters read like a bad student biography: born this date, father born this date, mother born this date, father and mother met, etc. I wondered if I would want to read the rest of the story, especially understanding that Harper Lee is a difficult person to write about.Though she is a famous author, Harper Lee lives a very private life and does not give interviews. Madden, picks up the pace, however, when she gets into the story of how Lee wrote To Kill a Mockingbird and includes many wonderful anecdotes from friends and family who know Lee well. After finishing the book, I'm going to go back and watch the film again (there is quite a bit about her part in the making of the movie). I will also have to read In Cold Blood (by Truman Capote) again after realizing the part she played in the writing of that story.
If you decide to read this short biography, don't let the first few chapters turn you away from a very interesting finish.
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