Reviews

Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

americaswing's review

challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

kim_j_dare's review

3.0

I'm glad I read this. It's a well-crafted story, if a bit didactic at times. I enjoyed hearing from 26-year-old Jean Louise (Scout), returned to her hometown from New York City and chafing at the small-mindedness of her neighbors and family. And being able to compare this initial rendering to what later became TKAM, I am amazed at the genius of the editor who suggested that Harper Lee rewrite things from the perspective of Scout the child. And amazed all over again at the genius of Harper Lee, who could let go of the adult version of her character enough to retell the story from that fresh and wonderful perspective.

whitneysederberg's review

5.0

RIP my previous convictions
Despite the events, this novel will still be one of my favorites. I truly felt in touch with Scout through most of it , but there were points where I just grimaced and truly felt the distance. Still a very important book though- even with good convictions, a man can only be what they were raised to be.

krisaacs's review

1.0

riestenberger's review

3.0

I really don't know how I feel about this book. Despite the ethical issues surroundings its publication I decided to read it anyway, and I'm just not sure what happened. For a hot second it looked like it was going to be hell yeah girl power Scout, but then... I don't know. Obviously this was unedited so I can't judge it based on that. But it was still an interesting look at the issue of racism

e_l_thompson's review against another edition

As I recall, Harper Lee didn't want this book published, and I can see why.  While it's been five years since I read this novel, I still advise people not to read it if they enjoyed To Kill a Mockingbird.  I found the book a disappointment, especially with regard to the character of Atticus Finch.  I thought To Kill a Mockingbird told a stronger story.

sljonz84's review

3.0

Mixed feelings over this one, which is to be expected, but not necessarily a bad thing. Seeing as this is really not a sequel, it's interesting to see what Lee initially had in mind for her novel, and to see a grown up Scout's point of view. This is just a first draft of what eventually went on to become such a classic.

susylamb's review

sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Yikes!
So cringy!
So disappointing!
I cannot for the life of me reconcile the fact this is the same author of To Kill A Mockingbird. This cannot be the same Scout and Atticus. 
Didn’t understand there political aspect at all.
….
I do know some of the background of this book. I read a biography on her awhile back. It seems like the publishers “stole” this rough draft right from under her nose when she couldn’t make decisions.

💬 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘥 𝘢𝘵:𝘩𝘵𝘵𝘱𝘴://𝘸𝘸𝘸.𝘪𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮.𝘤𝘰𝘮/𝘮𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘣𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘴/

pbraue13's review

challenging dark emotional informative sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Racism

joeyanne's review

4.0

This was not what I expected at all. Parts of it were a little confusing. Even so, I felt it challenged me and helped me to think of multiple perspectives. I didn’t see the ending coming, but I liked it. Mostly.