Harper Lee, renowned for her elusive and private demeanor despite authoring the bestselling novel “To Kill a Mockingbird,” was a close friend to Wayne Flynt, a Southern historian. Flynt, who became friends with Lee late in her life, has recently released his second book about the author, titled “Afternoons with Harper Lee.” Drawing on notes from numerous visits over a decade, the book offers a porch-side conversation feel, recounting tales of Lee’s childhood in rural Alabama, her life in New York, and various anecdotes in between.
Contrary to the public perception of Lee as a recluse, Flynt argues that she was warm and kind to friends, including former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson. Flynt emphasizes Lee’s deep religious convictions and challenges the stereotype of her as a hermit, aiming to portray the authentic woman behind the public image.
The book also serves as a tribute to Flynt’s late wife Dartie, who Lee seemed to empathize with due to shared physical challenges. Lee, born in the racially segregated South in 1926, grew up in Monroeville, Alabama, and her experiences in the town influenced her iconic novel. Lee’s preference for privacy may have stemmed from feeling different in her upbringing, where she engaged in activities like sports and reading rather than conforming to social expectations.
The narrative covers Lee’s life post-“Mockingbird,” her return to Alabama after a stroke, and her eventual death months after the release of “Go Set a Watchman.” The book avoids delving into Lee’s most private aspects, respecting her privacy.
Flynt highlights Lee’s love of literature and religion, noting her affinity for the King James Version of the Bible and her favorite authors, including Jane Austen and C.S. Lewis. “Afternoons With Harper Lee” follows Flynt’s earlier work, “Mockingbird Songs: My Friendship with Harper Lee,” shifting from a more formal structure to a meandering and conversational style reminiscent of Southern storytelling.
