Go Set a
Watchman is a novel
by Harper Lee, set to be published on July 14, 2015, by Harper Collins in the United States and William Heinemann in the United Kingdom
Though the book has been characterized in media reports as a sequel to Lee's best-selling novel, Go Set a Watchman was written in the mid-1950s, before she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, which was published in 1960. It was set aside when her editor suggested that she write another novel from the young Scout Finch's perspective. The manuscript was then lost for many years, until being rediscovered by her lawyer in the fall of 2014. It will be published as originally written, with no revisions.
The novel is 304 pages, and will be published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins, in the United States and Canada, and by Heinenann, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth (except Canada). The first printing will be two million copies. The publishers do not expect Lee, who is 88 years old and lives in assisted living inMonroeville ,
Alabama
Some publications have called the timing of the book "suspicious", citing Lee's declining health, statements she had made over several decades that she would not write or release another novel, and the death of her sister (and caretaker) just two months before the announcement. NPR reported on the news of her new book release, with circumstances "raising questions about whether she is being taken advantage of in her old age". Some publications have even called for fans to boycott the work.
News sources, including NPR, BBC News and Jezebel, have reported that the conditions surrounding the release of the book are unclear and posit that Lee may not have had full control of the decision.
However, historian and Lee's longtime friend Wayne Flynt told the Associated Press that the "narrative of senility, exploitation of this helpless little old lady is just hogwash. It's just complete bunk". Flynt said he found Lee capable of giving consent, and believes no one will ever know for certain the terms of said consent.
Plot
The novel follows
an adult Scout Finch, who travels from New York
to Maycomb , Alabama
Development History
Though the book has been characterized in media reports as a sequel to Lee's best-selling novel, Go Set a Watchman was written in the mid-1950s, before she wrote To Kill a Mockingbird, which was published in 1960. It was set aside when her editor suggested that she write another novel from the young Scout Finch's perspective. The manuscript was then lost for many years, until being rediscovered by her lawyer in the fall of 2014. It will be published as originally written, with no revisions.
The novel is 304 pages, and will be published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins, in the United States and Canada, and by Heinenann, an imprint of Penguin Random House, in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth (except Canada). The first printing will be two million copies. The publishers do not expect Lee, who is 88 years old and lives in assisted living in
Controversy
Some publications have called the timing of the book "suspicious", citing Lee's declining health, statements she had made over several decades that she would not write or release another novel, and the death of her sister (and caretaker) just two months before the announcement. NPR reported on the news of her new book release, with circumstances "raising questions about whether she is being taken advantage of in her old age". Some publications have even called for fans to boycott the work.
News sources, including NPR, BBC News and Jezebel, have reported that the conditions surrounding the release of the book are unclear and posit that Lee may not have had full control of the decision.
However, historian and Lee's longtime friend Wayne Flynt told the Associated Press that the "narrative of senility, exploitation of this helpless little old lady is just hogwash. It's just complete bunk". Flynt said he found Lee capable of giving consent, and believes no one will ever know for certain the terms of said consent.
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