melbsreads's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
Trigger warnings: murder, death, violence, racism
This book was interesting, but it also very much felt like a book in three parts - the accused murderer, the lawyer/politician, and the author - and it didn't quite feel like the three parts of the story overlapped or merged in the ways I was hoping they would. Through the second half of the book, it really did feel like the true crime aspect of the story fell by the wayside.
Don't get me wrong, all three parts of the story were interesting! They just felt like three quite separate stories and all three had very different vibes. At times, they even felt like different genres. So yeah. It was interesting! But it wasn't what I wanted it to be.
This book was interesting, but it also very much felt like a book in three parts - the accused murderer, the lawyer/politician, and the author - and it didn't quite feel like the three parts of the story overlapped or merged in the ways I was hoping they would. Through the second half of the book, it really did feel like the true crime aspect of the story fell by the wayside.
Don't get me wrong, all three parts of the story were interesting! They just felt like three quite separate stories and all three had very different vibes. At times, they even felt like different genres. So yeah. It was interesting! But it wasn't what I wanted it to be.
remarkableinchworm's review against another edition
3.0
First half is amazing. Second half is decidedly meh. Turns out a decade-plus of writer’s block doesn’t really make for a compelling story.
daceymormont's review against another edition
3.0
Goes into far too much detail on stuff that has little bearing on the actual case. Far too long-winded.
alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
DNF…I read the first 2 sections in order to participate in my local book club, and so far I am really enjoying this! Before I read the last section, which is more of a biography of Harper Lee, I would like to revisit To Kill a Mockingbird since it’s been years since I’ve read it. I want to go in with a full appreciation of the author, but I full intend to come back to this!
Mar 13-Mar 27 The Reverend and The Lawyer
Mar 13-Mar 27 The Reverend and The Lawyer
tsenko2's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent book, well worth reading if you love To Kill a Mockingbird and have any curiosity about Harper Lee.
The author delved deep into the lives and surroundings of the key characters in the trial. And while I respect an author who researches thoroughly, I fault Casey Cep and her editors for not tightening up this book. It wanders around and throws in many irrelevant facts. Which is great if you want a glimpse into the eradication of the Creek Nation or the building of dams in Alabama. Those are examples of the author straying off from the central premise of the book. A serial killer, a vigilante and Harper Lee are more than enough for any single book to cover. This could easily have been a five star book if the author had maintained greater focus.
I’m also not crazy about the ambiguity of the title. “...Trial of Harper Lee” can be misconstrued as Harper Lee being a defendant on trial. It actually refers to her observing a trial for the purpose of writing a book about it.
The author delved deep into the lives and surroundings of the key characters in the trial. And while I respect an author who researches thoroughly, I fault Casey Cep and her editors for not tightening up this book. It wanders around and throws in many irrelevant facts. Which is great if you want a glimpse into the eradication of the Creek Nation or the building of dams in Alabama. Those are examples of the author straying off from the central premise of the book. A serial killer, a vigilante and Harper Lee are more than enough for any single book to cover. This could easily have been a five star book if the author had maintained greater focus.
I’m also not crazy about the ambiguity of the title. “...Trial of Harper Lee” can be misconstrued as Harper Lee being a defendant on trial. It actually refers to her observing a trial for the purpose of writing a book about it.
brittany_tellefsen's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderfully crafted and magnificently written, this is the fascinating story of a serial-killing preacher, the man who shot, him, the lawyer who defended them both, and Harper Lee, the woman who planned to memorialize them in writing.
This was definitely different in scope and tone than I was expecting, but it is probably one of the best non-fiction stories I have ever read, simply due to how well the author wove the narrative and how brilliantly she wrote it.
I found this to be very compelling and I look forward to seeing what Casey Cep does in the future.
This was definitely different in scope and tone than I was expecting, but it is probably one of the best non-fiction stories I have ever read, simply due to how well the author wove the narrative and how brilliantly she wrote it.
I found this to be very compelling and I look forward to seeing what Casey Cep does in the future.