Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee (Spoilers)

[ThePhantasm]

So in the sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird"... Atticus Finch is a Klansman? Whaaaaaaaat?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/11/b...-atticus-finch-a-dark-side.html?smid=tw-share

 

[Sawyer]

I have yet to actually read To Kill a Mockingbird, but it's kind of sad to see an 89 year old woman seemingly jump the shark.

 

[titansupes]

If it were a true sequel I'd be distressed about that. But since it's effectively the original version of TKaM repackaged, I just find it fascinating. It's like how Superman was originally a bald supervillain hellbent on domination.

I'm very excited about this book, by the way. Can't wait.

 

[KevanG]

Unless Atticus had a severe change in attitude over the next few years, this sounds either like BS or stupid as ****.

I had to read TKaM is high school and it was interesting but a sequel like this would be one of those books that ruin the original classic. I haven't read the sequel but I might, just to see how it goes.

 

[The Apocalypse]

I never saw the appeal of TKaM. It was the only book I was ever assigned to read that I thought I wouldn't be able to get through.

 

[titansupes]

I read it earlier this year (when news of GSaW dropped) and was utterly in love with it.

 

[C. Lee]

So in the sequel to "To Kill a Mockingbird"... Atticus Finch is a Klansman? Whaaaaaaaat?

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/11/b...-atticus-finch-a-dark-side.html?smid=tw-share

I heard that this morning.....well, that's one book I won't be reading.

 

[STARMAN]

I always felt the original was good but slightly overrated. The importance of the themes explored were better than the prose. In my opinion.

Not sure if I'll check out the sequel.

 

[terry78]

Haha, that's like turning any one of the Allied Forces into a nazi.

 

[ThePhantasm]

Okay, now that I've read up on it, to be fair this is not the same Atticus in "To Kill a Mockingbird." This is the original story Lee wrote, and the publisher told her to write a prequel instead which is what became "To Kill a Mockingbird." In the process of writing Mockingbird the character of Atticus changed from a racist to an anti-racist character.

So this is like seeing a "first draft" albeit one that takes place later than Mockinbird, if that makes sense. Its not really a direct sequel.

 

[C. Lee]

Okay, now that I've read up on it, to be fair this is not the same Atticus in "To Kill a Mockingbird." This is the original story Lee wrote, and the publisher told her to write a prequel instead which is what became "To Kill a Mockingbird." In the process of writing Mockingbird the character of Atticus changed from a racist to an anti-racist character.

So this is like seeing a "first draft" albeit one that takes place later than Mockinbird, if that makes sense. Its not really a direct sequel.

I knew that this had been written first and she was told to rewrite or write something different.....but that doesn't change my mind. I love Finch's character and see no reason to spend my time reading a book where he is torn apart. I have a giant list of books to read and movies and TV series to watch.....so this book does not go on to my to read list.

 

[ThePhantasm]

Yeah, I agree with you there.

 

[titansupes]

My copies have already been dispatched to me (one's a gift). I don't see how reading an early version of a character could taint the one we know.

 

[Octoberist]

Okay, now that I've read up on it, to be fair this is not the same Atticus in "To Kill a Mockingbird." This is the original story Lee wrote, and the publisher told her to write a prequel instead which is what became "To Kill a Mockingbird." In the process of writing Mockingbird the character of Atticus changed from a racist to an anti-racist character.

So this is like seeing a "first draft" albeit one that takes place later than Mockinbird, if that makes sense. Its not really a direct sequel.

I think this is very important to know. In the context of how she wrote it, is it made clear in the book itself? Like the introduction, etc?

 

[Leafar the Lost]

Atticus Finch clearly believed in a separation of the races. Yes, he believed the Blacks should be treated equally and fairly under the law. But he never believed that the Races should live together. I can see that. This new book just fleshes out his character.