"Over 30 million copies of the book have now been sold, and it has been translated into 40 different languages. In 2009, it was reported that Lee was still earning $9,249 every day in royalties from To Kill a Mockingbird. At the moment, it’s estimated that Lee’s estate is worth about $45 million, and it’s estimated she’ll be earning $3-$4 million every year until she dies—and likely as long as the copyright lasts after her death, too."
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2014/03/years-free-wages-led-harper-lee-writing-kill-mockingbird/My Thoughts FWIW:
Today, Harper Lee's "other" novel is being released. It's called "Go Set A Watchman." Critics note that it appears to be an earlier "unworked" edition of Mockingbird rough around the edges stylistically. Noteworthy is that Lee was near 90 before consenting to its release. Watchman, though written before Mockingbird, takes place about 20 years later. You've no doubt heard that it's setting sales records and has become hotly controversial due to a much different Atticus Finch that emerges - one who's a racist and bigot.
I can't get excited about the new Atticus. I've always, I'm afraid, been more interested in style rather than substance when it comes to fiction. Mockingbird is a stylistic and thematic treasure. By all accounts Watchman is not. But if it succeeds in promoting sorely needed discussion of the race issue in this country, than a great purpose will have been served by its release.
About: "Go Set A Watchman":
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/entertainment/2015/07/13/harper-lees-new-novel-big-harry-potter-amazon-pre-orders/30073769/
Comments
Only that would be the Islamic Monkingbird.
Regards,
Ted
Ted, from your comments I can't tell if you're a fan of Harper Lee's or not. Perhaps you approve of one or the other of her two antithetical Atticus Finches? Something to please everyone there.
I agree with you that Bill Maher's a jerk - though I'm in agreement with many of his views. Guilt by association perhaps? Let's play by your rules. Bill O'Reilly's probably more to your liking as media pundits go (what a piece of work there). Speaking of O'Reilly & Fox, your pal Rupert Murdoch isn't ashamed to profit from the success of Lee's novel.
- Murdoch's WSJ on July 10 published the first (teaser) chapter of "Watchman." http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/06/go-set-a-watchman-first-chapter-online
- "Watchman"'s publisher, Harper Collins, is owned by Murdoch's NewsCorp. which stands to benefit handsomely from its success. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/mediatechnologyandtelecoms/media/11584818/News-Corp-boss-has-read-Harper-Lees-To-Kill-a-Mockingbird-sequel-heres-his-verdict.html
Regards,
Ted
Nice to know you appreciate Harper Lee's contribution to our literary heritage.
And from Poe: "Prophet said I. Thing of evil ..."
Regards