Go Set a Watchman, or Not?

There is so much to say about this topic but I will narrow my focus to two different ideas. First, does this book tarnish the legacy of Atticus Finch, the beloved father from To Kill a Mockingbird and second, should this book have been published at all?

Without giving away more than has been said in articles leading up to the release of Go Set a Watchman, yes, we find Atticus a different man than in TKAM. He is twenty years older and is painted in the light of a grown man, not a father through a child's eyes. While still a champion in many ways, he makes some remarks that can be taken heavily. Indeed, I actually shuddered at one point as I felt the pedestal I had him on sway in response to some of his dialogue. But, I had gone into the novel with an open mind and vowed to try and keep it open until I had finished the whole book. Yes, he is not the man we knew in TKAM, but Harper Lee makes it a point in the book to address that very fact. I found myself folding down pages where something that could be construed as controversial happened, and had a heated discussion later that day, in person and online with others who had read the book.

After reading the book, I had time to sit and reflect on it. No, it is nowhere near as good as To Kill a Mockingbird, but had it been, it would have been published years and years ago, and TKAM might not have existed. Is Atticus a racist? My answer, which may get some flak, is no. The quotes, taken out of context in newspaper articles, make him appear to be, but after reading the book, I see him talking about helping to maintain the peace and easing into the future. Or maybe Atticus didn't manage to get shaken too hard off his pedestal and I am reading more into his intent than was meant.

It was amazing that a book written so long ago still make me think of present day events, such as the Confederate flag issues and even the Tamir Rice shooting. It's amazing how so many things change, but so many stay the same. When Lee wrote this book, our country was very divided and facing many different challenges, and we've come a long way forward, with many backward steps along the way. I wonder if she knew how relevant certain situations would be 60 years later.

Which brings me to the second question: Should I have even read it? When I heard months back that another manuscript of Harper Lee's was found, I was ecstatic! TKAM is an amazing book, which I have read many times since the mandatory reading in tenth grade. Funny, thought provoking, and suspenseful, it is a classic. The controversy surrounding this book focuses on whether publishing was in Lee's best interest, or her idea at all. After months of thinking on it, curiousity won, and I had my name down on a pre-order list. Right away, I could tell it was not up to the standard of TKAM, but it still felt comforting to enter that world again. Just like Scout, I too was coming home for the weekend to visit.

So, should it have been published? I am on the fence. Yes, in terms of showing the public the first version. Use it as a teaching point: even authors revise, change, and get rejected. Go Set a Watchman was not published originally for a reason, because Lee could do better, and better she did! I am glad to have read the "second" book, but only as a way to remind myself to keep working.

Since I am not in contact with Harper Lee (I wish!), I have no idea as to her wishes about having GSAW published or not. The stories surrounding the release say that she did not want it published previously, that she is in a nursing home, and her sister, who was her protector, recently passes away. It all seems incredibly coincidental that the book was found, and Lee suddenly wanted it published.

But what do I know? These are the same people who dismissed Atticus, possibly without even reading the book, just getting caught up in the hype.

So, recommend or not? Yes. Go in knowing it is not, and will never be, To Kill a Mockingbird, but still evokes feelings and brings up many discussion points.

#HarperLee #ToKillaMockingbird #GoSetaWatchman #AtticusFinch