Harper Lee and Truman Capote became friends as next-door neighbors in the late 1920s, when they were about kindergarten age. From the start, they recognized in each other "an apartness," as Capote later expressed it; and both loved reading. When… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
If literary terms were about artistic merit and not the rules of convenience, about achievement and not safety, the term 'realism' would be an honorary one, conferred only on work that actually builds unsentimental reality on the page, that matches… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
'To Kill a Mockingbird' is really two stories. One is a coming-of-age tale told from the point of view of Scout Finch, a girl… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
On the strength of Vonnegut's reputation, 'Breakfast of Champions' spent a year on the best-seller lists, proving that he could indeed publish anything and… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
'To Kill a Mockingbird' appeared to highly favorable reviews and quickly climbed to the top of bestseller lists, where it remained for more than… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Harper Lee and Truman Capote became friends as next-door neighbors in the late 1920s, when they were about kindergarten age. From the start, they… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
The great purpose in life is to take your destiny out of the hands of others. — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
She just wanted to be comfortable in her own skin...But she would not stop to seek others' approval. The notion that she should never… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
My theory is that Kurt had a lot of residual pain from his childhood. And when you pile that on top of his experience… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
“At home, he (A.C. Lee) encouraged Nelle to clamber up on him lap to "help" him read the newspaper or complete the crossword puzzle.” — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Engaging and well paced, the book fills in the reality behind Vonnegut's work — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
Edith Vonnegut behaved like a guest in her children's lives. To her way of thinking, parenting came under the general heading of household tasks,… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
In the late 1990s, I left the teaching field to write biographies and histories for young adults. — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
“I think part of your success lies in the shock of recognition- or as the Japanese might say, 'the unexpected recognition of the faithful… — Charles J. Shields Copy Share Image
