The Mockingbird Next Door Audiobook By Marja Mills cover art

The Mockingbird Next Door

Life with Harper Lee

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The Mockingbird Next Door

By: Marja Mills
Narrated by: Amy Lynn Stewart
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About this listen

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee, is one of the best-loved novels of the 20th century. But for the last 50 years, the novel's celebrated author, Harper Lee, has said almost nothing on the record. Journalists have trekked to her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, where Harper Lee, known to her friends as Nelle, has lived with her sister, Alice, for decades, trying and failing to get an interview with the author. But in 2001, the Lee sisters opened their door to Chicago Tribune journalist Marja Mills. It was the beginning of a long conversation - and a great friendship.

In 2004, with the Lees' blessing, Mills moved into the house next door to the sisters. She spent the next 18 months there, sharing coffee at McDonalds and trips to the Laundromat with Nelle, feeding the ducks and going out for catfish supper with the sisters, and exploring all over lower Alabama with the Lees' inner circle of friends.

Nelle shared her love of history, literature, and the Southern way of life with Mills, as well as her keen sense of how journalism should be practiced. As the sisters decided to let Mills tell their story, Nelle helped make sure she was getting the story - and the South - right. Alice, the keeper of the Lee family history, shared the stories of their family.

The Mockingbird Next Door is the story of Mills's friendship with the Lee sisters. It is a testament to the great intelligence, sharp wit, and tremendous storytelling power of these two women, especially that of Nelle.

Mills was given a rare opportunity to know Nelle Harper Lee, to be part of the Lees' life in Alabama, and to hear them reflect on their upbringing, their corner of the Deep South, how To Kill a Mockingbird affected their lives, and why Nelle Harper Lee chose to never write another novel.

©2014 Marja Mills (P)2014 Penguin Audio
Authors Literary History & Criticism State & Local United States Women Celebrity Funny Witty Alabama
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Critic reviews

"There are many reasons to be grateful for The Mockingbird Next Door, Marja Mills’s wonderful memoir of Harper Lee and her sister.... Sympathetic and respectful it may be, but The Mockingbird Next Door is no sycophantic puff piece. It is a zesty account of two women living on their own terms yet always guided by the strong moral compass instilled in them by their father.... It is also an atmospheric tale of changing small-town America; of an unlikely, intergenerational friendship between the young author and her elderly subjects; of journalistic integrity; and of grace and fortitude.... Mills doesn’t avoid prickly issues, but she approaches them obliquely and accepts partial answers. Despite her enervating illness, Mills’s writing is energetic. The Mockingbird Next Door is warm yet wistful, a lament for the books Harper Lee never wrote. It ends on an elegiac note, since by the time Mills was able to complete it, the Lees were fading fast, in separate assisted-living facilities. The world she depicts is sadly gone, but - lucky for us - she caught it just in time." (Washington Post)

"A lot of people have a lot of ideas about what it means to be American, but here’s one more: To Kill a Mockingbird.... That fact alone makes The Mockingbird Next Door, a memoir by Chicago Tribune reporter Marja Mills about her friendship with the book’s author, Harper Lee, a valuable artifact. It’s also a thoughtful, sweet-tempered, witty piece of work.... The Mockingbird Next Door offers a winning, nuanced portrait. Indeed, given Lee’s deep privacy and advanced age, it seems unlikely we’ll ever have a better record of a remarkable American life." (USA Today)

"[Marja Mills] has written an intimate, moving book about a rare talent." (People)

What listeners say about The Mockingbird Next Door

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What a wonderful read!

Loved it! The narrator did an outstanding job. I hated for this book to end.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Alabama You Will Enjoy This

This book is really good if you live in Alabama and enjoy the feel of life in a small town in the south. I thought it was okay. It did give you a bit of knowledge of life with Harper Lee and Alice.

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Brilliant Storytelling!

I simply could't put this one down! I felt like I was right along on those long rides down country roads and chats with "Nell" Harper Lee and her sister Alice. If you're s fan of "To Kill a Mockingbird," you'lol love this book too!

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Interesting Story of Harper Lee

Narration was excellent. Was very pleasant to listen to. Story was good and interesting. Overall I'd give it four stars.

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Be mindful

I liked how this book came together. The author with health challenges was forced to slow down and pay attention to the real details of Harpers way of life and her reasons for denying herself of writing another novel. I enjoyed the slow pace of this memoir or biography of Harper Lee. I loved the relationship and trust that developed between the author and Harper Lee. To get the most from this book I was required to slow down while listening to this book. If you like stories that are like real life this is an excellent choice. Just remember to be mindful of the beautiful details of the relationships and common, but frequently missed, opportunities to experience what is important and rewarding in our lives.

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Loved it!!!

Since I am from Alabama, I could identify with so much of this story. I loved it.

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Superb!

The southern narration was lovely and a respectful look into some remarkable women's lives. It was an honor to learn more about the Lee family.

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This Memoir Stands on its Own Merits

If you could sum up The Mockingbird Next Door in three words, what would they be?

Warm affectionate storytelling.

What other book might you compare The Mockingbird Next Door to and why?

I think this book is unique. It's in the style of "new journalism" which means it's journalistic non-fiction reporting but the journalist is also part of the story. It really works here.

What about Amy Lynn Stewart’s performance did you like?

She captures the tone of the author really well and her portrayal of Nelle Harper Lee and her sister Alice is believable.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

An elusive literary legend as next door neighbor.

Any additional comments?

The book stands on it's own merit. This is not a straight-up biography of Harper Lee. It's the author's personal memoir of the months and years she spent getting to know Nelle Harper Lee, her sister Alice, their close friends and the community of Monroeville, AL. There is important biographical information about the author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" but the book is so much more than that.

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So glad I listened

And also read this book. Absolutely wonderful. I recommend it highly to anyone interested in the life of Nell Harper Lee, her sister Alice and many friends.

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Insightful. Can’t wait to read Harper Lee’s book again!

To Kill a Mockingbird has always been both my favorite book and movie. I have no idea how many times I’ve read the book or watched the film. For the films 50th anniversary it was re-released to theaters and I got to watch it on the big screen, something I never thought I’d do.

Listening to this book was an emotional roller coaster for me. First and foremost, I will say I am completely jealous of the author’s relationship with the Lee sisters. Becoming such an intimate acquaintance with them is a dream come true for any Harper Lee fan. I want to know all the stuff she couldn’t write about!

I’ve always known Maycomb was based on Lee’s home town, Atticus on her father and Dill on her childhood friend, Truman Capote. However, listening to the stories and details of Harper Lee’s childhood and life growing up in Monroeville paints a more solid picture of life in Maycomb. I’m looking forward to reading Mockingbird again now that I’ve listened to this book.

It’s sad that Harper Lee chose to live the life of a recluse. As the author states so often in the book, Lee had a lot of stories to write. She had an interesting and unique perspective on things. I would have loved to have read more from Harper Lee, as would millions of others. She was afraid she couldn’t top Mockingbird. The sad truth is, she went to her grave never knowing if she could, and denied her fans the opportunity to be the judge.

I think this book is a must read for any fan of To Kill a Mockingbird. It is an intimate look into the lives and hearts of Alice and Harper Lee. Listening to this had me laughing one minute and tearing up over what could have been the next. It was educational; I’ve now got a list of books to read and people to research.

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