JEFFREY BROWN:

But in the decades that followed, Lee did little or no talking. It was news when she went to the White House in 2007 to accept a Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Instead, she lived quietly most of her life in the town of Monroeville, Alabama. And while readers waited, no other books came, until the surprise this past summer of "Go Set a Watchman," a book described as written before "Mockingbird," but only discovered and published 55 years later.

It drew more readers, mixed reviews, and many questions about the circumstances of its writing and publication.

Harper Lee died in her sleep last night. She was 89 years old.

And joining us now is novelist and short story writer Allan Gurganus. His books include "Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All," "Plays Well With Others," and most recently "Local Souls."

Allan, welcome to you.

What explains the popularity in the end of "To Kill a Mockingbird"?

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