#1 New York Times Bestseller“Go Set a Watchman is such an important book, perhaps the most important novel on race to come out of the white South in decades.” — New York Times A landmark novel by Harper Lee, set two decades after her beloved Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece, To Kill a Mockingbird.Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch—“Scout”—returns home to Maycomb, Alabama from New York City … Mockingbird.
Twenty-six-year-old Jean Louise Finch—“Scout”—returns home to Maycomb, Alabama from New York City to visit her aging father, Atticus. Set against the backdrop of the civil rights tensions and political turmoil that were transforming the South, Jean Louise’s homecoming turns bittersweet when she learns disturbing truths about her close-knit family, the town, and the people dearest to her. Memories from her childhood flood back, and her values and assumptions are thrown into doubt. Featuring many of the iconic characters from To Kill a Mockingbird, Go Set a Watchman perfectly captures a young woman, and a world, in painful yet necessary transition out of the illusions of the past—a journey that can only be guided by one’s own conscience.
Written in the mid-1950s, Go Set a Watchman imparts a fuller, richer understanding and appreciation of the late Harper Lee. Here is an unforgettable novel of wisdom, humanity, passion, humor, and effortless precision—a profoundly affecting work of art that is both wonderfully evocative of another era and relevant to our own times. It not only confirms the enduring brilliance of To Kill a Mockingbird, but also serves as its essential companion, adding depth, context, and new meaning to an American classic.
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Great book club book to dig into the question of which really came first. As a love of “To Kill a Mockingbird” this novel doesn’t compare but it is a must read none the less due to the controversy and Harper Lee’s interesting life.
Extremely thought provoking, wonderfully written, very human characters.
Not your typical sequel, that’s for certain. I know this one is controversial for some… Atticus is certainly different here than we have seen him before… but is he really? Or is he just different because Scout is older and sees him differently now? Beautifully written, of course. Not Mockingbird, but still stays with you.
Not as well written as To Kill a Mockingbird but this Atticus was more complex if less loveable. Addresses the complexity of race issies.
Very thought provoking
I loved “To Kill a Mockingbird” and revered Atticus Finch. “Go Set a Watchman” reveals his clay feet and I didn’t want to see them. I much preferred Scout as a brave young girl than as the adult portrayed in the sequel.
Most people say this is not a sequel, and many media articles said the same thing, too. However, in reading this, it felt a little like a sequel, as Scout was older, and there were slight references to events that happened in To Kill a Mockingbird with Atticus’s trial. Conversely, I can see how Ms. Lee could have gotten the inspiration to write TKAM after she wrote Watchman. There was a certain fluidity to the timeline that made it feel like a complete story.
I really enjoyed Scout’s character. She was a woman in the 50s who stood up for what she believed in, despite the negativity all around her. She visits her old hometown of Maycomb from New York, and discovers things are a lot different than when she was last here. The people seem different, as some of the things going on that she doesn’t agree with. I, too, didn’t agree with some of the business going on, and I felt rightfully on Scout’s side to hold her ground. A lot of the issues presented made you think really hard about its deeper meaning.
There was an issue that I’ve seen readers comment about Atticus being a member of the Klan. After reading this, I can honestly say that I didn’t think Atticus was a part of that. There was a person there at the big meeting scene in courthouse who sounded like someone from the Klan, and I believe Atticus was there to keep an eye on things as a neutral party, not exactly taking sides of the issue. I did question his actions on certain views when he and Scout were talking, which seemed to contradict some of the events that happened in TKAM.
This book was written way ahead of its time. A lot of the controversial issues that are mentioned in this book are (still) going on now. Some of the way the issues were handled (like race) I did not agree with, but could only assume that was how the mindset was back then (and most likely still handled today).
There were some moments in this book that I had to laugh out loud, especially in the beginning of the book when Scout is reminiscing on her childhood while she’s at church, and some of the antics she and Jem used to get into. It was funny because I could totally relate to that, too!
While the writing itself wasn’t completely up to par, the book was still enjoyable overall. I would recommend everyone check it out, but be aware that it covers some tough/controversial issues.
disappointing compared to mockingbird
If you liked To Kill a Mockingbird, you will probably not like this book.
I was disappointed with this book. It was written in a very different voice than “To Kill a Mocking Bird” and I actually wish I’d not read it. The idea that one separates from their family is nothing new, I think the manner in which it was presented didn’t ring true for me.
I only read this book because my library just happened to have a copy of it on the shelf. I found the book interesting but it was in dire need of some editing, which is probably why it was turned into Mockingbird. The best part about it was that it enticed me go back and read Mockingbird and I enjoyed that book more as an adult.