Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
It’s pretty bloody crazy that Harper Lee has another (only her second!) novel released and going back to Maycomb would OF COURSE£ be a dream. But having read reviews and articles, I’m scared that by reading it, I could change forever the way I see an iconic book – and an iconic character.
Go Set a Watchman features pretty much the same characters and intrinsic plot as To Kill a Mockingbird. The difference is, in this book Scout is twenty-six years old and referred to as Jean Louise. Er what, Jean Louise?!
Things just get crazier as we also find out it was actually written before To Kill a Mockingbird. Apparently Lee took it to her editor and was persuaded to do another draft that featured Scout as a child, with the story told through her eyes and more emphasis put on the relationship with her father Atticus. Sound familiar? Obviously this was to be To Kill a Mockingbird. And everyone loved it.
Of course anticipation for Go Set a Watchman was huge. Amazon recorded it as their second most pre-ordered book of all time – beaten only by Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows (absolutely justified). Buuuuuut I’m just not sure.
I’m mainly nervous because I’ve read that one of the finest literary creations of all time (if not THE finest) Atticus Finch, is not as… well not as kind and lovely as he was in To Kill a Mockingbird.
I get very attached to characters anyway and Atticus is such a perfect, brilliant creation. His kindness more than anything but also his intelligence, integrity and rational thinking. It helps that he was portrayed so fantastically by Gregory Peck in the 1962 adaptation but even without this movie, I’d still love Atticus. It’s hard to believe he’s not a real person.
I’ve read reviews of Go Set a Watchman that hint Atticus could be more of a bigoted character. I’ve read reviews saying things such as “everything we thought we knew about Mockingbird is up in the air” or “those who have read To Kill a Mockingbird will be shocked and even horrified by some of this book”.
Horrified?!!! I’m not sure I like the sounds of this.
I know without reading the book it’s hard to pass judgement but was any of this really necessary? One thing I suppose I would like to know, set all that time in the future – is if Dill is in it as an adult. Dill was the kid in To Kill a Mockingbird who stayed with his aunt and hung out with Jem and Scout. He told some sensational stories, just like the person he was based on – author Truman Capote! He and Harper Lee were great friends ‘back in the day’.
“Mr and Mrs Lee, Harper Lee’s mother and father, lived very near. Harper Lee was my best friend. Did you ever read her book, To Kill a Mockingbird? I’m a character in that book, which takes place in the same small town in Alabama where we lived. Her father was a lawyer and she and I used to go to trials all the time as children. We went to the trials instead of going to the movies.”
Truman Capote
emmakwall (explains it all) 
I’m totally with you, Emma. I love TKAMB and I want my love to remain pure and untarnished. It’s a bit like how you should never meet up years later with an old boyfriend – I don’t want to be left wondering what the hell was I thinking he’s/it’s nothing like I remember, how could I have been so foolish? No. Better to simply re-read Mocking Bird.
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I wholeheartedly agree 🙂 I mean it’s not some new sequel or something anyway, just an idea that led to the book we love! I can’t stand the thought of Atticus being a racist / an ignorant. He’s a hero!!
I like your comparison, totally agree, always said the ex is hex!!
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I’ve never read Mockingbird either, but am starting to think that I should. Good write-up Ems!!
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Aww thanks Geoff!!! I hope you enjoy it if you do read it 🙂
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interesting read Emma. I need to read more books, I don’t do it often enough. I’m still not through Inherent Vice yet… tho to be fair, that is one fucking complicated novel. PTA’s adaptation of it was pretty apt.
I’ll have to check out this book that you consider one of your favourites MmmmKay. I trust your judgement!
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Very thought-provoking post! I love To Kill A Mockingbird as well, I’ve read it over and over since I was a little kid, reading my mum’s copy that she passed down to me. I don’t think I’ll be able to read Go Set A Watchman either, given what I’ve read about Atticus’ character in that book (I’m attached as well!). I just don’t want to put myself in that headspace of being disappointed and upset by a character that I’ve loved and admired forever. Plus I really think TKAM is perfect on its own without any follow-up needed!
I think what I’m most concerned about is that this book was probably never really intended to be released, given that it was a first draft of the story like you said. I worry about the exploitation of Harper Lee and whether people are trying to make money out of her. It freaks me out that she got a new literary agent after her sister passed away, and then all of a sudden this manuscript was ‘discovered’ and released. Sounds super shady and sad, given how reclusive she is.
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I probably won’t read it, though I am tempted. I worry that my feelings for the first are too set and to have it continued would be wrong. Same feeling I have for the Blade Runner sequel in the works.
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I personally don’t feel it’s worth it, but undeniably it’s an interesting topic 🙂
I’m tempted too! I must say. But plenty of other books to read!
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Well put. I have a long list of books to read.
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Really? I often think I babble and talk shit in the comments section lol.
Oh god so do I. I’ve had books unread ON my bookshelf for 5 years plus !!!!
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And I tend to re-read books which is not good for ticking off new ones.
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Such a great post Ems! I just posted my review for what it’s worth.
#hugs
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For what it’s worth? Er…everything!!!!!! So glad Kim ❤ I'm heading over!!!
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Hugs for you!
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You should hear my mother on this front. It is her favourite book. I absolutely loved this when I read it last year and enjoyed the movie. I don’t know if I would want to read this told in another way, a way that seems to lack what was amazing in the first. I suppose we will see. Will have to look at them as separate entities I suppose.
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Its my mum’s favourite too and my grandad’s 🙂 I would enjoy another story I guess, I just think it’s a shame if they tar Atticus Finch 😦 I mean…..It’s Atticus Finch! Thanks for your comment Zoe!!! 🙂
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Yeah, messing with Atticus would not be a wise idea…
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That sounds like a threat!!!! Love it! 🙂
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