Go Set a Watchman

Rated 4.5 Stars

Unabridged Audiobook

I just finished Go Set a Watchman. It's a very good book but I'm not all that sure I  liked it that much.  As a Southerner who is approximately the same age as the fictionalized Scout I can attest that  it's certainly true to it's time.  Harper Lee is a terrific writer even when she reminds you of a truth that you would prefer stayed conveniently under the rug you have swept it under.

The book also reminds me that it's not a good idea to put anyone on an unrealistically high pedestal because it's a long way to fall when the person inevitably slips off.

I also love, love, love the way she uses language.  It's music to my ears.

Now having said all that much I had to keep reminding myself that both 1) GSAW and TKAMB were both works of fiction.  2) Neither book was autobiographical but did include childhood reminiscences. 3) That TSAW wasn't written as a sequel.  It was a draft of a first attempt by the author to write a novel.  4) After finishing it the author for whatever reason didn't intend for it to be published.  5)  That IMO it was published in an underhanded kind of way as a way to make money for someone that wasn't Harper Lee or any of her nonexistent descendants.