Go Set a Watchman

[Andrea]

I notice that the first chapter of Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee is available to read in Fairfax digital newspapers this afternoon - can't wait to get home to read it (in peace)!

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

I'm rather afraid it may be a disappointment. I will probably wait a bit and see what people think:)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I've been tempted to pre-order it but it's very expensive - hardcover or kindle! So I've reserved it at the library and will wait and see what others' thoughts are;)

[Sally906]

Phrynne wrote: "I'm rather afraid it may be a disappointment. I will probably wait a bit and see what people think:)"

I feel the same way. I am going to wait and see - then probably borrow from library.

[Elaine]

I can't wait for this next Tuesday. Have preordered my copy from work. I agree it's not cheap Brenda but I can't not own a first edition copy!!! Hubby just read the first chapter and says it's good and the "voice" is in keeping with TKAM. I'm not going to read it. I'll wait till I have the whole book.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I agree Elaine, I won't read the first chapter until I have the book in my hands:) And I thought like you - but I also thought like Phrynne! Hate owning books that are a disappointment :/

[Marianne]

Brenda wrote: "I've been tempted to pre-order it but it's very expensive - hardcover or kindle! So I've reserved it at the library and will wait and see what others' thoughts are;)"
ditto, Brenda

[Carolyn]

I also thought I'd wait to see what others think - not that bad comments will put me off reading it anyway - and maybe wait until it gets a bit cheaper! Also I wouldn't mind re-reading To Kill a Mocking Bird first. Been a long time since I read it at school!

[Nicole]

I read the first paragraph of GSAW available on the net and stopped. Think I'll wait for the book. The early reviews (based on one chapter!) have been rather on the negative side (slow, clunky, more editing needed) with critics even panning Reese Witherspoon's reading of chpt 1. This is a big moment in publishing history. I say read the entire work and then decide whether you like it or not. What does everyone else think?

[Andrea]

The edition of TKAM that I own is this dinky little one from 1974, very well-read and adored



I'll probably just make do with a digital edition of GSAW until I can find a suitable companion edition. I realise this could take years!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Nicole wrote: "I read the first paragraph of GSAW available on the net and stopped. Think I'll wait for the book. The early reviews (based on one chapter!) have been rather on the negative side (slow, clunky, mor..."

Definitely agree - and how unfair to review it on one chapter! Can't understand some people!!!

[Nicole]

Brenda wrote: "Nicole wrote: "I read the first paragraph of GSAW available on the net and stopped. Think I'll wait for the book. The early reviews (based on one chapter!) have been rather on the negative side (sl..."

Just too much negativity in the world I think, Brenda.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I think there must be people out there prepared to knock a book and its author down at any cost! I'm astounded at some I come across when the book isn't even published yet - sometimes not finished by the author even!!

[Carolyn]

Brenda wrote: "Nicole wrote: "I read the first paragraph of GSAW available on the net and stopped. Think I'll wait for the book. The early reviews (based on one chapter!) have been rather on the negative side (sl..."

So right Brenda! If we had to decide whether to continue reading books based only on Chapter 1, there'd be a lot of books I wouldn't have read!

I think I'd rather not read the reviews, let the buzz die down and read it for myself.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Totally agree Carolyn!

[Ryan]

Carolyn wrote: "If we had to decide whether to continue reading books based only on Chapter 1, there'd be a lot of books I wouldn't have read!"

Agreed Carolyn.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well after me saying I will wait to see what others say, I was in Big W this morning and saw it for $19! After the prices I've seen elsewhere, I couldn't resist. So I now own this book!!

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

Already has 250 reservations at work.

[Carolyn]

Well spotted Brenda! We'll all be very interested to see what you think of it!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Liam wrote: "Already has 250 reservations at work."

I'm reserved at the library too and I think I was under 20th, but wow! 250...they'll be waiting awhile!!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Carolyn wrote: "Well spotted Brenda! We'll all be very interested to see what you think of it!"

Thanks - not sure when I'll get to it, but you'll all know when I do!!

[Carolyn]

Liam wrote: "Already has 250 reservations at work."

So even if your library has more than one copy, they could be waiting several years!

[Liam || Books 'n Beards]

I mean One Card system, we have about 15 copies currently and another 20 on order :P So hopefully it'll burn through quickly.

[Dale]

Brenda wrote: "Well after me saying I will wait to see what others say, I was in Big W this morning and saw it for $19! After the prices I've seen elsewhere, I couldn't resist. So I now own this book!!"

We'll all be interested to hear what you think when you get around to it Brenda.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

I hope it lives up to the hype Dale:)

[Karen]

I decided to re-read To Kill a Mockingbird before reading Go Set a Watchman. I can see why it has been voted in various polls as the most influential book people have read, or similar groupings. The critics are out in force because we all know there is nothing as galling as (soneone else's)success!

[Karen]

Dale wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Well after me saying I will wait to see what others say, I was in Big W this morning and saw it for $19! After the prices I've seen elsewhere, I couldn't resist. So I now own this bo..."

What a clever buy Brenda.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Thanks Karen:) Couldn't resist;)

[Elaine]

I'm just about finished my "don't know how many" reread of TKAM and I'm loving it as much as I did the first time I read it. I can't imagine Go Set a Watchman could be bad. She had actually written it before TKAM so you would think they would be similar. I guess we'll soon find out. I plan on starting it real soon...maybe tonight.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Enjoy Elaine:)

[Elaine]

Thanks Brenda. :)

[Marianne]

I have TKAM to reread, picked up at Vinnies cheap, and I'm 12th in line at the library. You watch, it will come up when I am OS!

[Andrea]

Elaine wrote: "I'm just about finished my "don't know how many" reread of TKAM and I'm loving it as much as I did the first time I read it. I can't imagine Go Set a Watchman could be bad. She had ..."

When I read chapter 1 on the weekend I got the distinct impression that it was written in the same 'voice' as TKAM, which I think is a good start. I enjoyed Stephen Romei's largely positive review in The Australian today, so am looking forward to reading GSAW for myself. But like others, I think I owe myself a re-read of TKAM first.

[Carolyn]

Marianne wrote: "I have TKAM to reread, picked up at Vinnies cheap, and I'm 12th in line at the library. You watch, it will come up when I am OS!"

Almost certainly Marianne!

[Andrea]

Rita *wants a quick quotes quill* Skeeter wrote: "Andrea wrote: "Elaine wrote: "I'm just about finished my "don't know how many" reread of TKAM and I'm loving it as much as I did the first time I read it. I can't imagine [book:Go Set a Watchman|24..."

I KNOW! I had to check with someone else who had read it, to make sure I hadn't misunderstood what was going on!

[Nina]

Well i dont know if i will get Go Set a Watchman in Greek, and i already read the first chapter, which i found amazing. I was planning to read Mockingbird again first and the Watchman but now i wont do it. I will try and take a distance from Mockingbird and try and read Watchman as a different book. I always loved Harper Lee and i understood that fear of publishing something else after Mockingbird. I love the fact she didnt not her books to be edited. I always thought editing is taking a lot from the writers thought, and the way the writer wants to write and pass feelings and thoughts, my book is getting great reviews but also all of them say it needs editing and its full of mistakes lol.
So i think with the way things are in Greece now, i will buy it when and if i can and read it independently.Hope you are all good, kisses and huggs from the occupied Greece.

[Veronica ⭐️]

Well I said I wouldn't buy it but all the talk sucked me in and yes, I went and purchased GSAW tonight.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Did you get it from Big W Veronica?

[Veronica ⭐️]

Brenda wrote: "Did you get it from Big W Veronica?"

Yes, I saw your post how cheap it was and ducked in before dinner. Very handy that they are open until 7pm. Mind you I also bought knitting wool and chocolates. ;)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL! Well done:) I much prefer that price to the (very) much higher ones I've seen elsewhere!!

[Andrea]

Veronica wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Did you get it from Big W Veronica?"

Yes, I saw your post how cheap it was and ducked in before dinner. Very handy that they are open until 7pm. Mind you I also bought knitting wool..."

Sounds like a recipe for a great night in!

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Veronica wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Did you get it from Big W Veronica?"

Yes, I saw your post how cheap it was and ducked in before dinner. Very handy that they are open until 7pm. Mind you I also bought knitting wool..."

Well shopped Veronica!! Oh the lengths we have to go to..sigh!! ;)

[Veronica ⭐️]

Andrea wrote Veronica wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Did you get it from Big W Veronica?"

Yes, I saw your post how cheap it was and ducked in before dinner. Very handy that they are open until 7pm. Mind you I also bought knitting wool..."

Sounds like a recipe for a great night in! ..."
Choccies all gone, book will have to wait. :)

[Jülie ☼♄ ]

Veronica wrote: "Andrea wrote Veronica wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Did you get it from Big W Veronica?"

Yes, I saw your post how cheap it was and ducked in before dinner. Very handy that they are open until 7pm. Mind ..."

Hahaaaa! :)

[Veronica ⭐️]

☼♄Jülie wrote: "Veronica wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Did you get it from Big W Veronica?"

Yes, I saw your post how cheap it was and ducked in before dinner. Very handy that they are open until 7pm. Mind you I also bou..."Well shopped Veronica!! Oh the lengths we have to go to..sigh!! ;) "

I know. I went out to spend $19 and spent $63.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

LOL! How easy is it!!

[Veronica ⭐️]

Brenda wrote: "LOL! How easy is it!!"

Too easy for me :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Veronica wrote: "Brenda wrote: "LOL! How easy is it!!"

Too easy for me :)"

And me!!!

[Ashley]

Did anyone in the group read this one?

I'm leaning towards skipping it, as I don't know whether I'm keen on seeing an early draft of TKAMB and I'm unable to figure out whether the release of this was totally Lee's wishes - any thoughts?

[Ryan]

I read it last week. It was ok. It started very slowly, then showed a lot of promise, then just fizzled out.