Go Set a Watchman (Incomplete)
Posted by
jangles (aka chris)
Jul 19 '15, 13:32
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it's impossible to grade it fairly because it seems obvious that the book in this form was either never intended to be published or would have needed a lot more work to be in publishable shape
the subject matter and themes are actually as (or more) relevant today than when Lee wrote them in the 50s. But, like the Scout of this book, she was in her late 20s then and it definitely reads like the earnest thoughts of a twentysomething woman from the south coming to terms with her home's place in history. i think it could have been as great as TKAM with more work but at least in this form it's not all there. there are certainly moments of greatness but there are far more moments of . . . not great writing.
it's still worth visiting that world and these characters though, even if the story Lee is trying to tell in this volume isn't the best vehicle for that journey. in it's defense though, the struggles that the Finch family and the others in Maycomb have with integration are far more nuanced and shades-of-gray than the black/white morality of TKAM.
i think the attorney who supposedly "found" the manuscript in the safe deposit box and Lee's publisher have done poorly by her in choosing to print the manuscript but it's an interesting artifact if nothing else
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