article_snippet: Could Lee, who had a stroke in 2007 and so often said Mockingbird would never publish again, really be happy that a manuscript, long since discarded, was going to see the light of day?
article_snippet: It is well known that Lee has poor eye sight and is deaf.
article_snippet: Carter took on the role of Lee's gatekeeper after the author's fiercely protective sister Alice died last summer.
article_snippet: Tongues started wagging and Carter has been on the defensive, telling The New York Times that Lee is 'extremely hurt and humiliated' by allegations that Lee has been manipulated. '
article_snippet: Lee is a very strong, independent and wise woman who should be enjoying the discovery of Lee long lost novel,' Carter told the newspaper through emails and text messages. '
article_snippet: Instead, Lee is having to defend Lee own credibility and decision-making.'
article_snippet: In Carter Carter released an earlier statement telling fans that Lee is 'happy as hell' about the new book.
article_snippet: US media has fallen on the story, quoting alleged friends and associates of Lee as attesting to Lee excitement and lucidity, or raising doubts and speculation.
article_snippet: Lee, who rarely speaks to US media, said via HarperCollins that HarperCollins was 'humbled and amazed' the manuscript was to be published after so many years.
article_snippet: NPR reported that Lee's friend, Wayne Flynt, visited Lee the day before news of the new book came out and said Lee was of sound mind. '
article_snippet: Does Lee understand what's going on?
article_snippet: If you make Lee hear, Lee can understand what's going on,' Lee's friend, Wayne Flynt, visited her the day before news of the book came out and said she was of sound mind said on NPR. '