In a past life, I was an English teacher and I always loved teaching the great classic To Kill a Mockingbird. It has so much depth and resonance and my students often responded really deeply to it. Some of my favourite class discussions have been about To Kill a Mockingbird. So, like millions of others, I eagerly awaited the publication of Go Set a Watchman – the book that Harper Lee wrote before To Kill a Mockingbird.
I’m liking
In this book, Scout is in her 20s and has returned to Maycombe after living in New York. She sees the town she loves in a different way. She sees both the place and the people she loves through different eyes. It’s fascinating to reflect on the way that things can change through the lens of adulthood.
Scout is still a strong and stroppy character. She is determined to take her own path and this plays out in the storyline.
Things that made me go hmmmm
But yes, as most reviewers before me have noted, this is clearly a book in need of what To Kill a Mockingbird gained – a strong editorial hand. It starts strongly; however, the only character who shows any development is Scout – the other characters are more like caricatures. And the second half of the book wanders all over the place. It’s a bit indulgent in its heavy-handed morality and it’s not always easy to follow Lee’s storyline.
The conclusion
So boo hoo – Go Set a Watchman is certainly no next great American novel. It’s a pale companion to one of the most beloved books in the cannon. My advice: Stick with To Kill a Mockingbird and skip the disappointment.
