Reasons to Read Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

Another thing that reviews and articles revealed that I liked is that though years have gone by, about 20 years, there are quite a few childhood memories shared in the book. In fact, those memories were the basis for the writing of "To Kill a Mockingbird". According to Wikipedia, "Lee said she had originally written Watchman first, but it was rejected by her editors who were more interested in the flashbacks it contained. They persuaded her to write another novel from the point of view of the young Scout, which became To Kill A Mockingbird." To me, having those flashbacks will give Watchman some of the nostalgic feeling that is present whenever I read or watch "To Kill a Mockingbird".

I don't think it's fair to over-anticipate something, or come to a book with high expectations, especially when you already know the characters from a previous book. Speaking personally, this just sets me up for disappointment.

I am not expecting to be disappointed by this book, however, and as I read it, I'll be coming back here and at the very end of the page, will share my impressions. I'll clearly mark where that starts so that you can avoid that section if you have not yet read the book and don't want to come across a spoiler.

It's tempting to want characters that we love to never change, to be the way they were when we first read about them, especially if they are as endearing as Scout, Atticus, the mysterious Boo Radley, or Scout's brother, Jem. But that's like expecting our family and friends to not change over the years. Time and life circumstances bring change, and that is what will happen, whether we like it or not in real life, or whether or not we like it in "Go Set a Watchman".

So I'm ready to see how the characters have changed with the times. We are going from the 1930's in To Kill a Mockingbird to the 1950's in Go Set a Watchman, a time when big changes were happening with regards to civil rights and so much more.

I can't wait to get started, in fact, I'm off to start reading right now!

Read the First Chapter of Go Set a Watchman Here

If you have a Kindle, you can also download a sample of the book which contains part of the text when you visit the link to the book above and click on the link to the book in Kindle format.

I think I can manage to share without spoilers, if not, I'll warn you in advance.

7/17/15 - I have been spending a little time reading for the past few nights before going to bed, and am on the third part of the book. So far I am enjoying it, occasionally I find myself laughing out loud, and do enjoy the descriptions of the characters. Since I never read "To Kill a Mockingbird", I am not aware of the writers style. I have only viewed the movie.

But so far, I've enjoyed getting to know the older Scout and her Henry, I don't know where things are going to go with them yet. There have already been some flashbacks to their childhood that are pleasant reading. Descriptions of characters can sometimes be funny, depending upon the character. Atticus is prominent in the story and Scouts brother's current condition is mentioned as well. Nothing very dramatic or intense just yet, it's easy, soothing enjoyable reading so far.