Go Set a Watchman: Starting thoughts

So, as you remember, my friend Ashlee asked me to read Go Set a Watchman for her, and tell her whether or not to read it. To Kill a Mockingbird is one of her all-time favorite books, and she didn't want to read Go Set a Watchman if it was going to ruin TKAM for her in any way.

I started GSAW just before the craziness of Christmas. Because it's a new release, the loan period at the library was short, so I only got to page 77 or so before it came due. I haven't got back to the library to check it out again yet.

Here's my judgement so far: Don't read it Ashlee.

photo & art by Alysa Stewart

I will keep reading it, because it's the book club book this month, and because I feel like I should read the whole thing to evaluate it fairly. But if it weren't for these two things I'd be content to let it lie.

The writing: The writing is unequivocally not as good as the writing in TKAM. As I was rereading that one I was like "Yeah, there's a reason this one won the Pulizer. Darn right." GSAW . . . not so much. One of the huge differences between the books is that Scout narrates in one and a third person narrator does the job in the other. There are definitely awesome books that use both of these perspectives, but GSAW is falling flat for me and this is part of why.

The continuity: It's obvious to me that this book was written before TKAM, because some of the continuity is odd. Aunt Alexandra has come to live with Atticus now that it's just him at home. And Scout and Aunt Alexandra rubbed each other the wrong way when she first showed up. It's like Aunt Alexandra never came when Scout was young. Because yeah, Harper Lee hadn't decided that that would be better yet. Also Aunt Alexandra and her husband (what's his name again?) lived in Maycomb all along? Not at Finch Landing? So . . . that's kind of weird.

I don't know how Harper Lee felt about Go Set a Watchman being published -- the publication of GSAW was controversial. But I can tell you that GSAW definitely reads like an early draft of TKAM. It feels more like watching all the outtakes from a movie than like watching a sequel or even a companion piece.

Aaand now I just read this spoilerific article that was linked to from the other New York Times article. Maybe I won't finish it. Ain't nobody got time for that. Correction: only English majors who want to compare a first draft with a final draft have time for that. I feel like some of GSAW is probably a legitimate representation of how Harper Lee feels the story turned out (I'm thinking of one specific spoiler here, do you want to hear it Ashlee?) but I feel like most of it was just what she had to write in order to get to the masterpiece she eventually published.

Leave me your thoughts, below. Especially you, Ashlee, but I want to know what the rest of you are thinking, too.
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previous posts in this series:
one
two

To Kill a Mockingbird: My Thoughts Then and Now

I'm now on chapter 28 (out of 31) of To Kill a Mockingbird. Getting close to the end. Wow, this book is still amazingly good, and so much different than I remember it being. But, to be fair, I didn't remember much about it. (More about why I'm re-reading it in this post.)

Going into reading To Kill a Mockingbird the first time, I thought the book was all about Boo Radley. I had heard a lot about Boo Radley from my classmates, I guess? I remember thinking, "I'd better read To Kill a Mockingbird before I graduate from high school, or I'll be the only person in the country who hasn't." I think I chose it for a free-choice reading assignment.

Well, it wasn't all about Boo Radley. I was kind of confused by that, and kept waiting for more to happen with Boo. Eventually I figured out the book was really about the trial of Tom Robinson. At least, it was for me. A book about a girl named Scout and her dad named Atticus and the trial of Tom Robinson.

Second time through, though, and I'm changing my stance. Since I already remembered that the book's not all about becoming friends with Boo Radley, and since I already knew the outcome of the trial (though I had forgotten the second outcome we see with Tom), I've been able to read the book more slowly and really savor it.

It's definitely a book about Scout, growing up. I mean, obviously, right? But, I dunno, that's not what I would have said before, because that's not what stuck in my brain last time.

This time I'm totally waiting to see how Jem breaks his arm. That's the first line of the book, right? That's ostensibly what the book is all about: Scout explaining how Jem broke his arm. We'll see what happens, because his arm is still whole at this point.

This time I'm much more attuned to all the after-the-trial stuff. Last time, I guess I thought everything after the trial was denouement. I'm not so sure this time. I'm fascinated by the break in at Judge Taylor's house, Link Deas's standing beside his cook. Scout's moment at the missionary circle, practicing "being a lady" despite the news she just heard.

Plus, what's going to happen with her and Dill? Probably nothing conclusive...I mean, nothing more conclusive than them either remaining affianced or splitting up...but I remember nothing about this. And I wonder (hope) there will be more about him in Go Set a Watchman.

Interesting fact: My kids asked me why the book was called To Kill a Mockingbird and I actually knew what to say! I'll tell you what I told them. It's called To Kill a Mockingbird because it's a book about making good choices. Killing a mockingbird would be a bad choice.

Ashlee chimed in on Facebook with the following:

Alysa!!!! I love you. Thank you for doing this! And I told you... SOOOOO good. I'm glad you are enjoying it. If you didn't I'd feel bad. Man. I so wish you could come over and talk about it. Atticus is amazing and obviously my favorite, but there are so many LAYERS to the book and themes that get taught in subtle ways along side the obvious ones. Ahhhh! So good! I really hope the sequel is worth it, but I'm super grateful you are making sure first! Is it making you laugh too? It's such a serious book. We always talk about the heavy stuff, we never talk about how funny it is!

Yes! It is making me laugh. I've totally chuckled out loud. Also smiled, also felt heartwarmed and disgusted and conflicted and exultant and creeped out and nervous and relieved. No wonder it won the Pulitzer prize, right?

And no wonder there are so many t-shirts. I have just spent too  much time looking at all the t-shirts. :) Which one is your fave? I kid of like this one the best.

Ok, that's enough of that. Time to go read some more! And clean my house! 

Did you have to read To Kill a Mockingbird in high school?

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p.s. Images in this post are affiliate links. Except my graduation picture,obviously. If you make a purchase through my affiliate links I earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. I'm required by law to tell you this, even though you already know it. Atticus would want us to comply with the law, wouldn't he?

To Kill a Mockingbird: rereading by special assignment

Lots of people I know like To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee. But My friend Ashlee Burton is the biggest fan of the book that I know. So, when I heard that there was a sequel coming out, I brought it to her attention.

But you know how it is: when you love a book so dearly that you reread it regularly and consider naming your children after it and such, and then, out of the blue, a sequel is announced. . . . And then you find out that there are some dubious circumstances surrounding the release of this unexpected sequel (namely, Harper Lee's older sister, who was her lawyer and chief privacy protector, passed away not long before the announcement). Well, considering all this, Ashlee said to me, "I just want you to read the sequel for me, then tell me if I should read it."

I was happy to oblige. But I thought I'd better start with a reread of To Kill a Mockingbird, before I went on to Go Set a Watchman. I think that if I read TKAM right before, I'll stand a better chance of experiencing the sequel in the way that Ashlee would. Whereas I've only read it once before, Ashlee has read it many times.

So. Yesterday I started the reread. Right now I'm on Chapter 14.  Aunt Alexandra has thoroughly invaded the house and Dill has just showed up unexpectedly. My thoughts thus far:

1. This book is so good. Soooo goood. I mean, I remember it being good. But it's soo goood. 

2. It's easier for me to pay attention to all the little awesome things, since this is my second time through and I kind of remember how things turn out. Not much, I mean, I had forgotten that Jem and Dill and Aunt Alexandra even existed, but still I remembered the plot in a rough way. 

3. I'm paying special attention to Atticus, and he's just great, isn't he? Ashlee asked me to look particuarly at Atticus in Go Set a Watchman -- if the sequel changes his character or vilifies him or anything she doesn't want to read it.  

Ok, I'll post again when I can. If you've read Go Set a Watchman, don't tell me what happens! Because although I heard a lot about it before publication, I've managed to avoid all reviews of it, so as not to taint my perspective in any way. 

Tell me though, if you could have someone else read a book on your behalf, which one would you pick?

Marie, myself, and Ashlee, at the baby shower for Jubilee.