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Go Set a Watchman

Harper Lee

Start date: August 22, 2015

Finish date: August 31, 2015

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What Members Thought

Aug 10, 2015 ELP rated it liked it

This books is similar to THE HELP. Of course, there are differences.

The black characters are weakly drawn. It seems as if Lee, at the time, was grossly unaware of her internalized prejudices. Scout may be more progressive than other Maycomb residents, but she clearly doesn't view Alabama blacks as more than housekeepers and garbage collectors. The idea of black judges and senators doesn't even enter Scout's mind. NAACP lawyers are distasteful, even to Scout.

Modern Ideals. I'm annoyed that Scou ...more

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Jul 16, 2015 Shelly rated it really liked it

This was well worth reading - I was pulled in by Lee's style of writing. What is interesting is if this was indeed a first draft of what became To Kill a Mockingbird, it reads as one. I enjoyed seeing the evolution of TKM through Go Set a Watchman; at points I dreaded reading the next page because Atticus in this book is different in a way from Atticus of TKM. However, in the end, the characters became easy to relate to because there is a moment between Jean Louise and Atticus that is so real it ...more

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Aug 11, 2015 Roseann rated it really liked it

I won't go into all of the controversy surrounding the novel. Just let me say that I found it to be a tale of a women come home after a long absence who has to view her family and friends from an adult's, rather than a child's perspective.

Yes, there is racism, yes, it can be hard to read, but I think it was necessary for Scout to grow even further as a person. If you live, eat, and breathe, To Kill A Mockingbird, you may not like the route this tale takes, but if you can look at is as a window i ...more

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Apr 29, 2016 Katrisa rated it did not like it

I read To Kill a Mockingbird waaaaayyy late - like only a few years ago. It was one of those books that I couldn't believe I had not read. I love the characters of Scout and Atticus. I still love Scout in this book - but I wish I hadn't read this book. It ruined Atticus for me. I was horrified reading Atticus' thoughts on black people in this book. ...more

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Mar 11, 2016 Will rated it liked it · review of another edition

Scout comes of age

Jean Louise Finch returns at age 26 to Macomb County. There she finds the man she loves, but is not in love with, along with family and things that have changed, most importantly her father's and the town's race relations. ...more

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