It's obviously a first book with some interesting ideas and writing, but lacking the polish and smoothness of a more experienced writer. I understand why Tay Hohoff ,who read it first, sent Harper Lee back (over a period of a few years) to write To Kill A Mockingbird. I understand why many hate it. It shows Atticus to be more of a Human being - flawed and complex. Not the icon from her childhood memories. The novel is one of those works in which the parts are better than the sum total. Ursula K. Le Guin wrote in an essay: "Harper Lee was a good writer. She wrote a lovable, greatly beloved book. But this earlier one, for all its faults and omissions, asks some of the hard questions To Kill a Mockingbird evades." I have to agree. I love both the movie and novel, but this book is actually a little more adult in some respects.
Harper Lee's Go Set a Watchman
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Hope things are going well for you and the family.
I was on the fence about reading it at first, but when I heard that men all over the country named Atticus were legally changing their names due to this book, that did it for me.
While I didn't dislike Go Set A Watchman I didn't really like it either. It felt like a book with buts missing. I really didn't like how Scout grew up. She seemed to be very unforgiving and not able to see any other point of view. I did like the bits from her childhood we didn't see in To Kill A Mockingbird.
I can't bring myself to read it. I sincerely believe Lee wasn't in her right mind and unscrupulous people took advantage of her (or maybe I just want to believe that) for profit. It's sad, really. Fortunately, the second novel hasn't diminished her sparkling reputation.
That said, I may one day change my mind and check it out at the library.
"It's grown people who always believe the worst."
--Harper Lee, Go Set a Watchman
Some people just keep hitting their head on the roof of the car no matter what comes.
--Harper Lee, Go Set a Watchman
Some people just keep hitting their head on the roof of the car no matter what comes.
Yes as well as can be expected. We had dad's service on Saturday. Many came. It was a couple hours long and went well. My wife and I spent the last several days sorting through much of dad's stuff. We got about half of it done. Today we came home. I'm still wrapping my head around the fact that mom is in the house by herself. Well she has two cats with her. It has to be very quiet over there right now. For 41 years she's lived in that exact house with dad and now he's gone. It's a change - that's for sure. Thank you.
I have to agree with you about unscrupulous people taking advantage and no, it hasn't tarnished her reputation. Give it a go, just to say you did it.
...I agree with my LEO buddy up above.....Watchman actually gave you a more "warts and all" look at the Deep South and the rampant racism and unbendable bigotry that went on, plus more complexity of character....Mockingbird is a great read, but there is to much veneer and shellac applied over the principals....