Go Set a Watchman

[Evie]

There is great debate right now on whether or not Go Set a Watchman is a true sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird. I see we have it set as part of the Series… and yet, I'm very hesitant to agree with this.

Have we discussed this yet? Are we leaving it as a series?

[Riana]

Tasia wrote: "There is great debate right now on whether or not Go Set a Watchman is a true sequel to To Kill a Mockingbird.I see we have it set as part of the Series… and yet, I'm very hesitant to agree with th..."

It's quite confusing as I have read that 'Go Set a Watchman' is actually a draft of 'To Kill a Mockingbird'.

[Evie]

As have I, and having just read it… I can't see this as a sequel. It wasn't intended to be. Plus, if you ever have a copy and look at the dust jacket blurb, the publishers want it to be seen as an "essential companion," with all language suggesting this work is meant to supplement Mockingbird.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

Does it have common characters with Mockingbird? Is it set chronically before or after Mockingbird?

[Evie]

We follow 26-year-old Scout revisiting Maycomb, seeing many familiar characters, but I don't feel that justifies the classification of a series. Watchman is supposedly the first draft of Mockingbird; not a sequel, but the text that it was born from.

They're definitely connected, but… There's where the debate lies.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

On Goodreads, if it has one or more common characters and a common "universe" (both of which appear to be true), then it is a series.

[Evie]

Well, then that's settled, then!

[lethe]

Maybe make it an unnumbered series?

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

It's still right on publisher Harper Collins front page and they seem to be trying to consider it a prequel. It technically starts a little earlier; but, I agree more with the "companion" phrasing where it can be in series but shouldn't be numbered as prequel or sequel.

[rivka, Former Moderator]

lethe wrote: "Maybe make it an unnumbered series?"

That will probably ruffle fewer feathers, and I think it makes sense.

[lethe]

rivka wrote: "lethe wrote: "Maybe make it an unnumbered series?"

That will probably ruffle fewer feathers, and I think it makes sense."

Have removed the numbering.