Well Ms Penny, I hope I am too much of a gentleman to beat up on an 85 year old lady, and if I thought there was a chance she would join us on book talk I would not say what follows. Her novel arrived today and I read part one. In all my life I have never been so certain Harper Lee did not write TKA...

MS. PENNY, I think you are doing a splendid job and if Chris isn't complaining, he's happy.

Isn't that part of the problem here in the states, we look to humans for answers that are bigger than all of us?. CHRIS may banish you from booktalk for making such a statement and unleashing my thesis statement in response. In deference to my booktalk friends who have read my rants I will not resp...

I am interested to see if Harper develops her characters as sensitively and in my opinion accurately as she did in TKAM. The milieu of emotions among black and white during the era of GSAW seem impossible to me to be replicated in readers merely through words. I am going to share some personal anecd...

I confess that my remarks so far are from reading the reviews. I've ordered the book but it will be a few days before it arrives.

I have often thought that if I ever try to write a novel I would use the DSM V manual to describe my characters. Every body is mentally ill except you and me and I'm not so sure about you.

Am I the only one who, when reading the first chapter of GSAW and the ride on the train reflecting, feel like I was reading Thomas Wolfe's "You Can't Go Home Again?" That was published in 1940. I'd have to read it again to see if the story line is similar. FYI gang, I may be the only one p...

OK, I’m in, but I’ve never been convinced that Truman Capote (Harper’s cousin and character in TKAM) didn’t write TKAM or so heavily edit it which is the reason Harper Lee never wrote another thing. In her favor, she is getting slammed for making Atticus a hypocrite regarding his race relations. I d...

To my treasured friends of BookTalk: I confess and repent of my shameless use of BookTalk to be my critique group. For many years, I've tried to connect with thoughtful people who might help me express the insight I believe I've gained, in meaningful prose. Alas, all have turned away. In editing the...

I am unable to determine if these thoughts have no value or if they are written so poorly they do not communicate an insightful perspective of the subject matter. As an act of mercy, would someone please post a comment. Silence is the consummate rejection.