Go Set a Watchman â€� Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (110)

Was it really written by Harper Lee? Readers might be able to tell. Either way, it will make millions for her lawyer and the publisher.

Farseer Yes, it was written by her. However, this is not a sequel of To Kill a Mockingbird. It's a very early draft of that novel. Fortunately, Lee rewrote itâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðYes, it was written by her. However, this is not a sequel of To Kill a Mockingbird. It's a very early draft of that novel. Fortunately, Lee rewrote it completely and changed the characters and events (for example, the outcome of Tom Robinson's trial is different), creating one wonderful and unforgettable novel. You can read that version with the title To Kill a Mockingbird.

Publishing Go Set a Watchman is just a money-making stunt by the people who control Lee's estate. It is nowhere near as well-written as TKAM and doesn't have the same powerful characters. It's only of interest for those who want to study Lee's creative process. If you are just a regular fan of TKAM, do yourself a favor and skip this one.(less)

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This is the first time in a long while that I've been excited about an upcoming book! Yay! Thank you Harper Lee! My question is, will it be available in ebook form when it is released? Or will I have to wait longer to read it on my kindle?

Pat Schultz I was not at all disappointed. But I am sure glad this did not come out before TKM - this way her idealization of Atticus makes perfect sense - as doeâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðI was not at all disappointed. But I am sure glad this did not come out before TKM - this way her idealization of Atticus makes perfect sense - as does this. (less)

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Really...this was lost? She only wrote one other novel. I suspect this "newly found" manuscript has a back story and I doubt if it was lost.

Iris It was not lost. According to an article in Bloomburg Weekly, Lee kept it in a safe deposit box. The publishers knew about the manuscript for years buâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðIt was not lost. According to an article in Bloomburg Weekly, Lee kept it in a safe deposit box. The publishers knew about the manuscript for years but Lee did not want it published. It is only being published now because the people who control Lee's estate want to publish it. There are doubts that Lee gave permission to have this published. (less)

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Is it worth finishing? I am on page 68 and bored silly...

Greg It was pretty boring! Think of it this way: the longer you hold it, the more you will spare others from this awful book. Why, people have been given sâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðIt was pretty boring! Think of it this way: the longer you hold it, the more you will spare others from this awful book. Why, people have been given sainthood for lesser actions.(less)

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Should I read this novel or it will totally ruin my love for To Kill a Mockingbird? All opinions welcomed!

Val It might "kill" your love for Mockingbird. You've no doubt heard all the sound and fury concerning this novel's portrayal of Atticus, for instance, buâ€¦m´Ç°ù±ðIt might "kill" your love for Mockingbird. You've no doubt heard all the sound and fury concerning this novel's portrayal of Atticus, for instance, but I look at this book as being the first draft of that novel. In fact, goodreads has the title subtitled as Mockingbird #2. That's the way to think of it. The prose in Watchman is wooden, there's no discernible plot for the first 150 pages, which is why Lee's editor rejected this work and suggested she focus on the young Scout.

I, too, love Mockingbird, and Watchman didn't change my attitude. It did heighten my interest in the writing process Lee went through to get to Mockingbird. Watchman is a worthwhile read if you accept it's limitations.(less)

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