Harper Lee Fans Have Mixed Feelings About New Book
Kyrsten Matthews, Allie Curlette and Mandy Shunnarah at the release of Go Set a Watchman at Books-a-Million Brookwood.
Avid readers all over the country have been talking about Alabama author Harper Lee’s newly published book, Go Set a Watchman. The book, intended to be a sequel to Lee’s novel To Kill a Mockingbird, is supposed to be a sequel to the 1960 classic, but was actually written first.
Gina Yu,WBHM
” credit=”Gina Yu / WBHM
Critics
Some writers mentioned in reviews in the New York Times and AL.com that Lee fans shouldn’t get their hopes up about Watchman, as beloved character Atticus Finch from Mockingbird is portrayed as a racist in the new book. Atticus is said to be a member of the White Citizens’ Council and that he has attended a Ku Klux Klan meeting.
Regardless of the speculation about where Lee is taking her characters, Bloomberg reported that Lee’s new book is the most preordered one in publishing company HarperCollins’ history. (It even beat out the final Hunger Games and the last Game of Thrones installment.)
Gina Yu,WBHM
” credit=”Gina Yu / WBHM
The Release
Go Set a Watchman was officially released in select locations at midnight, including at the Books-A-Million in Brookwood. A small crowd attended, and eager customers walked around with their free 16-oz drink from the stand upstairs while waiting for the books to be set out for the public.
UAB Creative Writing Professor Kerry Madden has previously written a biography about Lee, and was one of the Books-A-Million customers anxiously waiting to purchase a copy. She says she hasn’t necessarily listened to the reviews and wants to decide about the book for herself.
“I don’t expect it to be To Kill a Mockingbird,” she says, “I expect it to be about how a writer finds her voice and I think we’ll get to see that.”
Conley Easter was also a customer awaiting his copy of the book. He too says he hasn’t paid reviews any attention.
“I’ve actually avoided reading anything about the book,” he says, “I want to be completely surprised and let the work stand on its own.”
Gina Yu,WBHM
” credit=”Gina Yu / WBHM
Doubt
Not everyone in attendance at Books-A-Million was as optimistic.
Long-time Harper Lee fan Kyrsten Matthews says she has grown up with the To Kill
a Mockingbird book and movie, and hopes the new book does nothing to ruin the earlier story.
“Atticus has always been one of my favorite characters,” she says, “And it’s probably going to be sad if it turns out that he’s racist.”
Gina Yu,WBHM
” credit=”Gina Yu / WBHM
Another To Kill a Mockingbird fan, K. Ford, was also in attendance at Books-A-Million. He says, while it would be disappointing to see a loved character portrayed in this way, he hopes it will provide some chances for character depth and development, and some context for what changed Atticus between the first book and its pre-sequel.
“From what I understand, this is kind of the prequel to To Kill a Mockingbird,” he says, “So I’m hoping we can see Atticus before the change and what caused him to be the man he was in the second book.”
Gina Yu,WBHM
” credit=”Gina Yu / WBHM
Go Set a Watchman is now available for purchase in most bookstores, in both audio and print.
Judge orders release of Columbia activist Mahmoud Khalil
Khalil will be released on bail while his case challenging his deportation orders plays out in the courts.
A cancer center in Jordan treats kids from Gaza, but only a few dozen have arrived
Children from Gaza with cancer are finally making it to Jordan for long-promised treatment. But a plan to allow as many as 2,000 patients out of the war-torn enclave has slowed.
What children in poverty could lose from the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’
Republicans want to change or reduce key social safety net programs that provide healthcare, food benefits and financial assistance for millions of children.
Bessemer recommends changing its laws to accommodate one of the country’s largest proposed data centers
Despite overwhelming public opposition, officials in Bessemer voted to recommend changes to city zoning ordinances to allow the massive development. Its operation could strain the state’s water and power supplies and leave an already imperiled fish species at risk of extinction.
Why is caregiving so hard in America? The answers emerge in a new film
A new documentary on PBS shows what it's like to care for adult family members and recounts the history of caregiving policy in the U.S., revealing why those caring for family are often on their own.
European officials hold talks with Iran in Geneva, seeking a diplomatic solution
It marks the most significant known diplomatic talks between Tehran and Western governments since Israel launched a surprise offensive against Iran one week ago.
