Upon Harper Lee's Passing, Berkeley Breathed Shares Her Fan Letter to Him

[Hissyspit]

https://www.facebook.com/berkeleybreathed/photos/a.114529165244512.10815.108793262484769/1136867129677372

Bloomers: Many, but not all of you, know that in the way that creative life can often surprise, Harper Lee was one of you. One of us. You might be as surprised as I am that she played a large role in my recent return to the streets of Bloom County-- streets inspired by those of Maycomb. When I retired Opus from the Sunday comics some years ago, Harper let me know her displeasure, with all the southern, gracious elegance we knew her for. See the letter below. I've waited until her passing to show it. We came to exchange many similar notes... including one in which she grudgingly forgives me for my retirement (irony alert). Imagine my 14 year-old self -- freshly savoring the first reading of Mockingbird and sending Miss Lee a fan letter in 1970 -- being told about another fan letter returning my way almost 40 years distant. Life is wonderful and strange and wistful and happy at the same time. And I'm happy to share this with all of you today.

[progressoid]

1. He talked about this on Fresh Air - NPR

http://www.npr.org/2015/10/12/447117474/bloom-county-and-opus-the-penguin-return-after-a-25-year-hiatus

[MerryBlooms]

2. I'm listening now- thanks for posting!

[MerryBlooms]

3. Rec & Kick.

Two of my favorites.

[sarge43]

4. Lovely tribute from one class act to another. n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

5. Being 1995 was pre-Internet...

I didn't realize the pic over Opus' bed is Harper Lee.

[ornotna]

6. Very nice

Thanks for sharing.