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A review by nytephoenyx
Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I rather liked this book, actually. I know a lot of people didn't like it and there was a lot of controversy around it, but I think the conversation was very timely.
GO SET A WATCHMAN isn't the most well-constructed book. The plot goes nowhere, because it's basically a character study. But its strength lies in the way it deconstructs characters that generations of readers *thought* they knew. And that's what I like about it most. While this is a white person writing about white people talking about racism, it's a self-reflective study about privilege. It discusses that a single act of allyship is not enough to prove someone is not racist, or excuse them from trying to dissemble the system.
If you're going into this looking for the next American classic, you won't find it. It's not a well contained book if you're looking for a traditional plot, and the characters largely rely on the reader's knowledge of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (even though WATCHMAN was written first). But the conversation within this book, Jean Louise's disappointment and horror at the place and people she loved, and becoming self-aware of prejudice and racism and the need to grow... that's what makes GO SET A WATCHMAN worth reading.
For a more detailed review, as well another bookish content, come visit me at The Literary Phoenix
GO SET A WATCHMAN isn't the most well-constructed book. The plot goes nowhere, because it's basically a character study. But its strength lies in the way it deconstructs characters that generations of readers *thought* they knew. And that's what I like about it most. While this is a white person writing about white people talking about racism, it's a self-reflective study about privilege. It discusses that a single act of allyship is not enough to prove someone is not racist, or excuse them from trying to dissemble the system.
If you're going into this looking for the next American classic, you won't find it. It's not a well contained book if you're looking for a traditional plot, and the characters largely rely on the reader's knowledge of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (even though WATCHMAN was written first). But the conversation within this book, Jean Louise's disappointment and horror at the place and people she loved, and becoming self-aware of prejudice and racism and the need to grow... that's what makes GO SET A WATCHMAN worth reading.
For a more detailed review, as well another bookish content, come visit me at The Literary Phoenix
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Racial slurs