#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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Wow, this book knocked my socks off! I loved the flashbacks to Scout’s childhood escapades–the baptism, the pregnancy scare and the incident with the falsies…poignant and funny…so reminiscent of To Kill A Mockingbird.
I must admit I was lost in the chapter about Scout’s talk with Uncle Jack…I don’t know enough about Victorian literature to understand that conversation.
Reading and understanding part VI took some work…I had to reread the 10th amendment and research the background of Brown v Topeka Board of Education.
All the bruhaha about Atticus being a racist is nonsense if you consider the times. I lived in the South during those years and I assure you that Atticus’s stand was reasoned, appropriate and helpful.
One of my friends told me she didn’t think I would like this, but as Harper Lee was a fellow Chi Omega and I loved “To Kill a Mockingbird” I figured I had to give it a try. Needless to say, I actually really enjoyed this book and couldn’t put it down. This book really got me thinking and I am glad that I read it!
Obviously not as good as To Kill A Mockingbird.
Interesting to see how she originally planned the story but I think the publishers were right to redirect her efforts. If TKAM is your favorite book ever I’d recommend NOT reading this one. It doesn’t add to the characters, it only takes away.
Harper Lee reflects on the country’s behavior during the 10th amendment’s struggles in the South and the Federal government’s position while revisiting “..Mockingbird” setting and characters. Starts out slowly but packs an historical punch. One that every high school senior must read in tandem with Mockingbird. Neither condemn or condones but gives n interesting perspective that few history books include. I’m glad she wrote it as well that was finally published when it was.
I read this book with great anticipation because I loved To Kill A Mockingbird. I was a little disappointed. The characters were not as developed and I could not empathize even for Scout. She was bitchy and I couldn’t even like Atticus. This book was a sad follow up to a great story.
I was very excited when I heard about the proposed publication of Harper Lee’s sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird, (which was one the earliest ‘important’ books that I read). Having just finished reading it, I wondered if Lee didn’t live long enough to finish writing it or if it was abandoned. It felt like it was the outline for a book with some pieces filled in and some dialogue fleshed out, but not a finished product. At times Lee’s descriptions were so perfect and the narrative flowed so effortlessly that I was reminded of how she made her name. At other times, it was clear that she was trying to explain an idea or express a political point of view but failed. The passages were muddled to the point that it wasn’t clear what she was trying to say. Perhaps I was hoping that I misunderstood what she meant. It felt dated, and inconsistent with what I believed to be true about its predecessor’s politics. Still, it was interesting to read. Harper Lee was one of my earliest examples of someone who challenged the status quo and adopted relatively modern ideas about the role of women in society.
I loved this book because it focused on Scout’s life as a grown woman and how she remembered her younger days as a child.
There’s a lot in this book not to like and there’s a lot that stinks of publisher interference but the core….the part that eventually became To Kill a Mockingbird is priceless and I’m glad we all got to see this story and it’s morale that even the best amongst us struggle in difficult times to make the right decisions.
Just one of those books, about how we wish it only used to be. Engaging, mind broadening, beautiful at times. Important.
I wasn’t sure what to expect with Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee. I found the character voices as strong as in to Kill a Mockingbird, but the story far more complex. Atticus has evolved the most. As you read the story you grasp why (even if you don’t always like it). You also understand that at the core he is much the same person. As always, he teaches Scout what’s important.
Another classic by Harper Lee. She could only do amazing. The way this went into Scouts thought processes around her hometown, the south, racism, and her relationships with the people in her life was insightful and real.
After reading this book, how I wished Harper Lee had returned to this story and finished it. It has for me important themes of leaving home and returning with a different perspective, and coming to see and understand our parents as flawed people who did the best with what they had. Taking parents off the pedestal of childhood love, seeing them for who they are, and loving them still hit home for me. That is a stand alone story worth telling.
Disappointing after reading “To Kill a Mockingbird”.
a prequil but still the book that created the one we all know.
Highly anticipated but disillusioning.
You can understand why this was not published sooner (and maybe shouldn’t have been.)
To Kill A Mockingbird still stands alone as a masterpiece.
I have never read such a book that is timeless and yet so relevant to the current racial crisis in America here in 2020. I saved and underline so many quotes that just pierced my heart and made me want to cry out to the world “This is the definition of it all!!!” This book is a bridge between both sides of the issues in today’s world and has now become one of my most revered books on my bookshelf. There is no other book character like Jean Louise and she is the icon for today.
Highly Recommended!
There’s been so much hype about this book. Poor Harper Lee. How could she ever compete with her Pulitzer Prize winning first effort, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD? And now people are asking was that first book really a reflection of her talent OR the skill of an exceptional editor? Geez!
Up front, I need to say that GO SET A WATCHMAN does not, in my opinion, match the perfection of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD. It is less polished and has a less powerful narrative. But then, how could anything compete against the drama inherent in a child’s view of a racially charged rape trial in the deep South.
As critics have warned, it is indeed a series of episodes from Jean Louise’s visit to Macomb, after a number of years living in New York City. There were times, particularly during the first half, when I wasn’t quite sure where Lee was going with the story. And a few moments when I was a bit confused by the voice — sometimes she refers to Jean Louise in first person and sometimes in third. But WATCHMAN (which was actually written in the mid 1950s BEFORE To Kill a Mockingbird) is clearly Harper Lee’s own work and I now appreciate her talent even more.
As the book progressed, I loved watching Jean Louise struggle to make peace with her town, childhood, family and friends. Just like all adults have to do. I loved her humor, the quirky way she sees the world, and speaks forthrightly (not always what a Southern lady was supposed to do), always remaining true to herself. This is Scout all grown up! And she’s VERY funny.
Best of all is looking at the wonderful and close relationship she still has with her father, Atticus. And though he is the main focus of Jean Louise’s need to break away and stand as a completely independent adult, that does not take away from the deep love, respect, and appreciation this father and daughter have for each other.
Yes, we learn some surprising (and disappointing) things about Atticus, but I didn’t come away disliking him or thinking him a hypocrite. Instead, I feel I now have a more nuanced portrait of him, that feels more true to his Southern heritage. Like Scout, I’ve learned he’s not the god-like figure from MOCKINGBIRD. But I still wish he had been my father– flaws and all.
A great sequel to To Tell A Mockingbird. The story is superb and suspenseful. The characters are well written. A fantastic read.
Disappointing, not a worthy sequel to ‘ To Kill a Mockingbird ‘
Harper Lee should have shelved this one.