Go Set a Watchman

[Holly]

Today is the release date for Harper Lee's long-awaited and controversial Go Set a Watchman. Have you had a chance to read it? Post your thoughts here.

[Jennifer]

I've been going back and forth on this, but I think I've decided not to read it. People should be able to have the privacy of their early drafts, and it seems like Harper Lee didn't want this published. Kind of sad, really.

But here's a hilarious and thoughtful synopsis and analysis video from Thug Notes (warning-strong language):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWiBT...

Et tu, brah!

[Stephanie]

I don't plan to read it either, partly for the reason Jen listed above, and also because To Kill A Mockingbird is probably about as perfect as a novel can get and really doesn't need anything added to it.

[Marnie]

I read a review that said to read it as a stand alone book, not a sequel to TKAM. I'm not 100% sure what I will do.

[Debbie]

I'm planning on reading it. I read as much for technique and style as for content and I'm curious about each of these and how they led her publisher to suggest a different direction for the story. Much like reading Tolkein's Silmarilion and O'Brien's 22nd unfinished novel, it gives an insight into the writer's process. I will be disgusted, I will say, by anyone who complains it's not as good as TKAM. Why did they think Lee didn't want it published?

[Shirley]

I think this "controversy" is a bit picky and silly. Is this a philosophical discussion-did Harper Lee forbid its publication or are we assuming things. I've learned some things from your comments, but if you judge it before trying it, then how will you know? If you don't like it, stop reading. After all, it's hard to live up to "the best book-TKAM" (according to my library voters.) If I'm way off base, or missed prepublication info. let me know.

[Karen]

Here is a a comment I posted in another reading site about what is fishy with Go Tell a Watchman

I enjoyed To Kill A Mockingbird, listened to it on audio about 5 years ago and it was like reading for the first time. It is a well told story and is an American classic. I don't want to read or buy Go Set A Watchman because:

I listened to The Diane Rehm Show in February when the announcement of the release of Go Set A Watchman came out. The program pointed out numerous areas of concern:

1) Why did her attorney go looking for the document? Family members knew of it but Lee did not choose to publish it during the time of her life when she was in full control of her faculties.

2) The statements attributed to her cannot be verified, the attorney has limited access to her, no media will be allowed to interview her.

3) The document will not be edited, this is just not done. But of course to do any editing, the editor must meet with the author which isn't scheduled to happen.

4)Lee had her copyrights to Mockingbird stolen by an editor who just pushed a document in front of her to sign. She later said she did not know what she was signing...now she is almost completely blind, did she know what she was signing for this attorney.

5) Lee's sister was her attorney until her death last year. The current attorney was picked to succeed her sister but has filed suits that Lee either did not agree to or knows nothing about them.

This just smells to high heaven and I won't give those publishers any money. They are taking advantage of an elderly woman who is almost deaf and blind. Shame on them!

http://thedianerehmshow.org/audio/#/s...

[Shirley]

Thanks for the info. Karen. Learning more things from group members is always helpful:)