I intend to read this 288-page book after it is released on July 14, 2015, exactly fifty-five years (thanks, Sergio) after the celebrated but reclusive author wrote her award-winning To Kill a Mockingbird (1960).
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| © Harper |
Go Set a Watchman, a title borrowed from Isaiah 21:6, is said to be a prequel to Harper Lee’s debut novel. She wrote it before To Kill a Mockingbird, her only published novel till date, though media reports have labelled it as a sequel.
Describing Go Set a Watchman as “An historic literary event,” Publisher Harper said it was originally written in the mid-1950s. Harper Lee first submitted it to her publishers but it was never published—“Assumed to have been lost, the manuscript was discovered in late 2014.”
“Go Set a Watchman features many of the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird some twenty years later. Returning home to Maycomb to visit her father, Jean Louise Finch-Scout—struggles with issues both personal and political, involving (her father) Atticus, (his attitude toward) society, and the small Alabama town that shaped her.
Describing Go Set a Watchman as “An historic literary event,” Publisher Harper said it was originally written in the mid-1950s. Harper Lee first submitted it to her publishers but it was never published—“Assumed to have been lost, the manuscript was discovered in late 2014.”
“Go Set a Watchman features many of the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird some twenty years later. Returning home to Maycomb to visit her father, Jean Louise Finch-Scout—struggles with issues both personal and political, involving (her father) Atticus, (his attitude toward) society, and the small Alabama town that shaped her.
“Exploring how the characters from To Kill a Mockingbird are adjusting to the turbulent events transforming mid-1950s America, Go Set a Watchman casts a fascinating new light on Harper Lee’s enduring classic. Moving, funny and compelling, it stands as a magnificent novel in its own right.”
It’d be interesting to read Go Set a Watchman and then immediately reread To Kill a Mockingbird and connect the lost thread between the two novels that have somewhat similar covers.
It’d be interesting to read Go Set a Watchman and then immediately reread To Kill a Mockingbird and connect the lost thread between the two novels that have somewhat similar covers.
I'm planning on reading it, too. I'm amazed Lee authorized this publication, actually.
ReplyDeleteElizabeth, I read the story behind the "discovery" of this book with interest and I look forward to reading it.
DeleteI will certainly be really interested to see what it is like. Like most people I know, love the book (and the 1962 movie too). I noticed small typo in your opening para Prashant - 55 years, not 50, yes?
ReplyDeleteSergio, I look forward to reading your review of the book. I'd, however, like to watch TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD again as I don't remember it as well as the book.
DeleteSergio, I think it's 55 years from one book to another, counting 1960 to 2015.
Sergio, I owe you an apology. You were right about the typo. The error didn't register even after I read your comment. The "fifty" still looked like "fifty-five" to my eyes till I noticed it a few minutes ago.
DeleteI will also read it. I only read To kill a mockingbird last year and found it wonderful
ReplyDeleteCharles, absolutely. What an impact just one novel can make! I want to read TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD all over again but I'll wait till after I read its prequel.
DeleteYes, like so many of us I am looking forward to this and will no doubt read them both end to end.
ReplyDeleteMoira, I look forward to reading your unique take on the book. I wonder how it will be received by the literary world.
DeleteSuppose I ought to read Mockingbird first and then see. I get the feeling a lot of people w.ill be chatting about it anyway
ReplyDeleteCol, people have been "chatting" about MOCKINGBIRD for decades, so I won't be surprised if this book gets the same kind of publicity.
DeleteI think many people will read the two books one after the other, in whichever order suits them, when this is published. I read MOCKINGBIRD so long ago, I'm not sure if I want to.
ReplyDeleteRichard, I intend to read both the books in tandem. It'd be nice to read MOCKINGBIRD again after all these years.
DeleteThere will be so many people reading and reviewing this novel, I will wait and see what they say before I give it a try. It will probably be interesting reading.
ReplyDeleteTracy, I'm sure it'll be interesting though I doubt if it'll have the same appeal as MOCKINGBIRD.
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