Go Set a Watchman

KytchynWitche

I didn't see any other posts about this, but if I missed it, I am most sincerely apologetic.

http://www.theguardian.com/books/2015/feb/03/harper-lee-new-novel-to-kill-a-mockingbird 

Is anyone else as excited for this as I am? I am completely and utterly devoted to To Kill a Mockingbird, it is in my All-Time Top 3 (purely because I cannot choose between it and the other two for "favourite"). I intend to pre-order the book as soon as I can get into town again.

I'm also nervous. I'm scared that, with this much buildup and hype around it, the end product will be a disappointment.

Of course, it's Harper Lee. I don't really believe that anything written by her could be bad.

Thoughts and opinions?

WhatawagSBNy

Even aside from the fact that Gregory Peck always makes me melt, this was a favorite movie starting when I was about ten.

So after many times watching the movie, when I picked a copy off parents' bookshelf, I was surprised I was so into Scout's view of the world all over again. Great book!

I saw an article in the paper earlier and did get excited. Very interesting that Watchman was written first, with a flashback style not so common then.
First I thought, have not read that (for 20th time) recently, should read Mockingbird again.

Then I decided, I will probably pay more attention to the shift from woman to the younger Scout if I have not read the older published book first.

I put in a request at the library, and the librarian I talked to said she and the area interlibrary loan person both saw the Guardian article and locally they are putting in advance orders for multiple copies. So, on the book reserve list. Can't wait.

hellosweetie1015

WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?!?!?!?!

I am so excited now! I LOVED To Kill a Mockingbird. Oh my gosh. I am so so excited now. I think I should read Mockingbird again. I wonder if I still have a copy.

I do see what @WhatawagSBNy‌ is saying - reading Scout's younger words versus her older ones could be a rough change, but I don't think they will be that hard. Because Scout's younger voice wasn't that young; if I remember it correctly, it was Scout as a grown woman flashing back to that summer.

flutteringinfl

I was excited...until I read a sad, buzzkill article that talked about how it's likely this book is getting published for all the wrong reasons...

http://jezebel.com/be-suspicious-of-the-new-harper-lee-novel-1683488258

Jen4948

I'm looking forward to it. I love TKAM.

Jen4948

flutteringinfl said:

I was excited...until I read a sad, buzzkill article that talked about how it's likely this book is getting published for all the wrong reasons...

http://jezebel.com/be-suspicious-of-the-new-harper-lee-novel-1683488258

That may be, but the cat is out of the bag now.

flutteringinfl

Jen4948 said:

I was excited...until I read a sad, buzzkill article that talked about how it's likely this book is getting published for all the wrong reasons...

http://jezebel.com/be-suspicious-of-the-new-harper-lee-novel-1683488258

That may be, but the cat is out of the bag now.

Uhh, okay. Yes, it's out of the bag. That doesn't make it any less concerning that a fragile person is potentially being taken advantage of.

wandajune6

I read the same article. Sadly, before I read the announcement.

Still excited though...

levioosa

That article is terribly sad.  And if it's true, it's elder abuse, which makes me ragey.

ginnybinny17

flutteringinfl said:

I was excited...until I read a sad, buzzkill article that talked about how it's likely this book is getting published for all the wrong reasons...

http://jezebel.com/be-suspicious-of-the-new-harper-lee-novel-1683488258

It is really really suspicious that the book has been MYSTERIOUSLY FOUND only three months (I think) after Harper's sister's death. 

WhatawagSBNy

Books don't make money until great numbers sell, heck of a risk unless it really is at least halfway decent. Now auctioning a manuscript just for the name value, like a bad painting with a famous painter's signature, that would be instant money.
Buzzkill is not such a reliable source, that I would not want to read it.

flutteringinfl

WhatawagSBNy said:

Books don't make money until great numbers sell, heck of a risk unless it really is at least halfway decent. Now auctioning a manuscript just for the name value, like a bad painting with a famous painter's signature, that would be instant money. Buzzkill is not such a reliable source, that I would not want to read it.

"Buzzkill" isn't the name of the publication, just the feeling the article evoked in me. I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Yes, Lee has enough name value that any book of hers would mean instant money for anyone involved, which is why it's suspicious that several months after her sister and lawyer passed away after years of refusing to sell the manuscript because Lee didn't want to, her new lawyer suddenly declares it's been sold. Especially since Lee has a recent history of signing documents without fully understanding them, due to her age and health.

Jen4948

flutteringinfl said:

Jen4948 said:

flutteringinfl said:

I was excited...until I read a sad, buzzkill article that talked about how it's likely this book is getting published for all the wrong reasons...

http://jezebel.com/be-suspicious-of-the-new-harper-lee-novel-1683488258

That may be, but the cat is out of the bag now.

Uhh, okay. Yes, it's out of the bag. That doesn't make it any less concerning that a fragile person is potentially being taken advantage of.

But is she? She possibly was in the past, yes. But neither that nor the timing establish an airtight case that she is being taken advantage of. Maybe she's totally okay with this book being published. Until solid evidence is presented that she actually is being taken advantage of, I'm going to give Harper Lee the benefit of the doubt. The mere "potential" of her being taken advantage of shouldn't by itself be the deciding factor.

KatieinBkln

I am SO EXCITED about the book.

If its publication is in fact the result of underhanded dealings, then I am upset. But does anyone know--is there any reason to suspect that Harper Lee isn't capable of deciding for herself whether to publish her book?

I don't know, I feel like no one would have suggested that J.D. Salinger was being taken advantage of had he decided to publish some of his (many) unpublished works before he died. Why should Ms. Lee be any different (unless it's because of the Ms.)?

flutteringinfl

KatieinBkln said:

I am SO EXCITED about the book.

If its publication is in fact the result of underhanded dealings, then I am upset. But does anyone know--is there any reason to suspect that Harper Lee isn't capable of deciding for herself whether to publish her book?

I don't know, I feel like no one would have suggested that J.D. Salinger was being taken advantage of had he decided to publish some of his (many) unpublished works before he died. Why should Ms. Lee be any different (unless it's because of the Ms.)?

This quote particularly stood out to me:

"Tonja Carter, Harper Lee's attorney since Alice Lee retired at the age of 100, acknowledges that the author—who was left forgetful and nearly blind and deaf after a stroke in 2007—often doesn't understand the contracts that she signs. "Lee has a history of signing whatever's put in front of her, apparently sometimes with Carter's advice," Gawker's Michelle Dean reported last July."

So yes, to me, there's reason to suspect she doesn't really want it published. I suppose that unless less circumstantial evidence comes forth, we don't know for sure, but I'm still looking at this with a raised eyebrow. I don't suspect she's being taken advantage of because she's a woman. I suspect she's being taken advantage of because it seems that she's older and vulnerable to it based on health problems. I had the exact same concerns with my grandfather, who during the last couple of years of his life got taken advantage of several times because he didn't have the same control of his faculties anymore.

relliotts

KatieinBkln said:

I am SO EXCITED about the book.

If its publication is in fact the result of underhanded dealings, then I am upset. But does anyone know--is there any reason to suspect that Harper Lee isn't capable of deciding for herself whether to publish her book?

I don't know, I feel like no one would have suggested that J.D. Salinger was being taken advantage of had he decided to publish some of his (many) unpublished works before he died. Why should Ms. Lee be any different (unless it's because of the Ms.)?

Harper Lee actually sued her agent (I believe the case was finally settled in 2013) for, essentially, stealing the rights to TKAMB around 2007. A case of her "signing whatever was put in front of her" as stated in another post.  So yes, there are reasons to suspect that this may not be what she wishes, and the timing is very suspect. She has always been adamant in her statements that she felt she got TKAMB so right that she didn't need to publish anything else. It's just strange that now, after her only real protector - sister Alice - is gone, this is suddenly coming out in to the world.

I love TKAMB. I love Harper Lee. I was not at all excited when I read this news, unfortunately.

KatieinBkln

relliotts said:

KatieinBkln said:

I am SO EXCITED about the book.

If its publication is in fact the result of underhanded dealings, then I am upset. But does anyone know--is there any reason to suspect that Harper Lee isn't capable of deciding for herself whether to publish her book?

I don't know, I feel like no one would have suggested that J.D. Salinger was being taken advantage of had he decided to publish some of his (many) unpublished works before he died. Why should Ms. Lee be any different (unless it's because of the Ms.)?

Harper Lee actually sued her agent (I believe the case was finally settled in 2013) for, essentially, stealing the rights to TKAMB around 2007. A case of her "signing whatever was put in front of her" as stated in another post.  So yes, there are reasons to suspect that this may not be what she wishes, and the timing is very suspect. She has always been adamant in her statements that she felt she got TKAMB so right that she didn't need to publish anything else. It's just strange that now, after her only real protector - sister Alice - is gone, this is suddenly coming out in to the world.

I love TKAMB. I love Harper Lee. I was not at all excited when I read this news, unfortunately.

flutteringinfl said:

KatieinBkln said:

I am SO EXCITED about the book.

If its publication is in fact the result of underhanded dealings, then I am upset. But does anyone know--is there any reason to suspect that Harper Lee isn't capable of deciding for herself whether to publish her book?

I don't know, I feel like no one would have suggested that J.D. Salinger was being taken advantage of had he decided to publish some of his (many) unpublished works before he died. Why should Ms. Lee be any different (unless it's because of the Ms.)?

This quote particularly stood out to me:

"Tonja Carter, Harper Lee's attorney since Alice Lee retired at the age of 100, acknowledges that the author—who was left forgetful and nearly blind and deaf after a stroke in 2007—often doesn't understand the contracts that she signs. "Lee has a history of signing whatever's put in front of her, apparently sometimes with Carter's advice," Gawker's Michelle Dean reported last July."

So yes, to me, there's reason to suspect she doesn't really want it published. I suppose that unless less circumstantial evidence comes forth, we don't know for sure, but I'm still looking at this with a raised eyebrow. I don't suspect she's being taken advantage of because she's a woman. I suspect she's being taken advantage of because it seems that she's older and vulnerable to it based on health problems. I had the exact same concerns with my grandfather, who during the last couple of years of his life got taken advantage of several times because he didn't have the same control of his faculties anymore.

Thanks for this info, @flutteringinfl and @relliotts. I wasn't aware of Lee's health problems; you're right that this does sound pretty sketchy, given the timing of the death of her sister.

Thanks for setting me straight--sometimes I am too suspicious of the patriarchy!

relliotts

It's not that I wouldn't love to read more of Ms. Lee's writing - I absolutely would, and PARTICULARLY another installment about Scout. But, as a writer, I know how personal your creations are and what an act of will and faith it takes to put them out there in front of people.  If she has been staunchly opposed to publishing anything else up to now, it's hard for me to believe she has suddenly changed her mind. And I understand why she may not want to, regardless of how much WE all might want it.  What we want isn't important in this matter. I'm honestly not sure if I'll read this, if I can't confirm that this is actually happening with the wishes and blessing of Harper Lee.

hellosweetie1015

I did not know all of that. Now I'm definitely more hesitant. I'm still crazy excited about it, the book, because I really love Mockingbird, but if she's being taken advantage of I want nothing to do with it.

flutteringinfl

KatieinBkln said:

relliotts said:

KatieinBkln said:

I am SO EXCITED about the book.

If its publication is in fact the result of underhanded dealings, then I am upset. But does anyone know--is there any reason to suspect that Harper Lee isn't capable of deciding for herself whether to publish her book?

I don't know, I feel like no one would have suggested that J.D. Salinger was being taken advantage of had he decided to publish some of his (many) unpublished works before he died. Why should Ms. Lee be any different (unless it's because of the Ms.)?

Harper Lee actually sued her agent (I believe the case was finally settled in 2013) for, essentially, stealing the rights to TKAMB around 2007. A case of her "signing whatever was put in front of her" as stated in another post.  So yes, there are reasons to suspect that this may not be what she wishes, and the timing is very suspect. She has always been adamant in her statements that she felt she got TKAMB so right that she didn't need to publish anything else. It's just strange that now, after her only real protector - sister Alice - is gone, this is suddenly coming out in to the world.

I love TKAMB. I love Harper Lee. I was not at all excited when I read this news, unfortunately.

flutteringinfl said:

KatieinBkln said:

I am SO EXCITED about the book.

If its publication is in fact the result of underhanded dealings, then I am upset. But does anyone know--is there any reason to suspect that Harper Lee isn't capable of deciding for herself whether to publish her book?

I don't know, I feel like no one would have suggested that J.D. Salinger was being taken advantage of had he decided to publish some of his (many) unpublished works before he died. Why should Ms. Lee be any different (unless it's because of the Ms.)?

This quote particularly stood out to me:

"Tonja Carter, Harper Lee's attorney since Alice Lee retired at the age of 100, acknowledges that the author—who was left forgetful and nearly blind and deaf after a stroke in 2007—often doesn't understand the contracts that she signs. "Lee has a history of signing whatever's put in front of her, apparently sometimes with Carter's advice," Gawker's Michelle Dean reported last July."

So yes, to me, there's reason to suspect she doesn't really want it published. I suppose that unless less circumstantial evidence comes forth, we don't know for sure, but I'm still looking at this with a raised eyebrow. I don't suspect she's being taken advantage of because she's a woman. I suspect she's being taken advantage of because it seems that she's older and vulnerable to it based on health problems. I had the exact same concerns with my grandfather, who during the last couple of years of his life got taken advantage of several times because he didn't have the same control of his faculties anymore.

Thanks for this info, @flutteringinfl and @relliotts. I wasn't aware of Lee's health problems; you're right that this does sound pretty sketchy, given the timing of the death of her sister.

Thanks for setting me straight--sometimes I am too suspicious of the patriarchy!

Completely understand. I'm the same way.

KytchynWitche

I had no idea there was such controversy lurking around this topic. I am deeply saddened by the possibility that Lee is being exploited. I still want to read the book, but I hate that people might be taking advantage of a fragile old woman.

Lowell14

I was sooo excited about a new book but the article makes the new book release sounds sketchy. I'm on the fence about buying the book now

WhatawagSBNy

flutteringinfl said:

WhatawagSBNy said:

Books don't make money until great numbers sell, heck of a risk unless it really is at least halfway decent. Now auctioning a manuscript just for the name value, like a bad painting with a famous painter's signature, that would be instant money.
Buzzkill is not such a reliable source, that I would not want to read it.

"Buzzkill" isn't the name of the publication, just the feeling the article evoked in me. I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Yes, Lee has enough name value that any book of hers would mean instant money for anyone involved, which is why it's suspicious that several months after her sister and lawyer passed away after years of refusing to sell the manuscript because Lee didn't want to, her new lawyer suddenly declares it's been sold. Especially since Lee has a recent history of signing documents without fully understanding them, due to her age and health.

-----------------
I read the name on the link and the masthead. When I think buzzkill I think unresearched reports, the kind that often think correlation = proven cause and report it as truth, not something in need of investigation. Often at least partially right, as often, partially wrong. Like gossip and scandal sheets, and reports where the feedback opinions of readers are as important as the original report.

If I am in error, please define it for me. English is my fourth language, and always translating in my head from languages with a different structure, I do not always explain clearly, just the best I can.

flutteringinfl

WhatawagSBNy said:

WhatawagSBNy said:

Books don't make money until great numbers sell, heck of a risk unless it really is at least halfway decent. Now auctioning a manuscript just for the name value, like a bad painting with a famous painter's signature, that would be instant money. Buzzkill is not such a reliable source, that I would not want to read it.

"Buzzkill" isn't the name of the publication, just the feeling the article evoked in me. I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Yes, Lee has enough name value that any book of hers would mean instant money for anyone involved, which is why it's suspicious that several months after her sister and lawyer passed away after years of refusing to sell the manuscript because Lee didn't want to, her new lawyer suddenly declares it's been sold. Especially since Lee has a recent history of signing documents without fully understanding them, due to her age and health.

----------------- I read the name on the link and the masthead. When I think buzzkill I think unresearched reports, the kind that often think correlation = proven cause and report it as truth, not something in need of investigation. Often at least partially right, as often, partially wrong. Like gossip and scandal sheets, and reports where the feedback opinions of readers are as important as the original report. If I am in error, please define it for me. English is my fourth language, and always translating in my head from languages with a different structure, I do not always explain clearly, just the best I can.

Do you mean BuzzFEED? That's not the publication that published the article. The article was published by Jezebel. Again, when I said "buzzkill," I meant, "The article published by Jezebel is a buzzkill because it puts a damper on what sounded like good news."

WhatawagSBNy

I would hate to see her exploited. But if like many formerly famous people, she is facing a long possible life ahead in need of expensive care to keep her from ending up destitute, I would see making the best of what assets she has to be a good thing.

The key would be to make sure, through oversight, that she is getting the majority of the profit, not a small fraction.

jdluvr06

I heard about this and am pretty excited. I can see why people might think she is being taken advantage of but someone posted an article on Goodreads with some quotes from Harper and she seemed pretty excited about it. I read it a couple of days ago but I'll go back and try to find the link.

WhatawagSBNy

flutteringinfl said:

WhatawagSBNy said:

flutteringinfl said:

WhatawagSBNy said:

Books don't make money until great numbers sell, heck of a risk unless it really is at least halfway decent. Now auctioning a manuscript just for the name value, like a bad painting with a famous painter's signature, that would be instant money.
Buzzkill is not such a reliable source, that I would not want to read it.

"Buzzkill" isn't the name of the publication, just the feeling the article evoked in me. I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Yes, Lee has enough name value that any book of hers would mean instant money for anyone involved, which is why it's suspicious that several months after her sister and lawyer passed away after years of refusing to sell the manuscript because Lee didn't want to, her new lawyer suddenly declares it's been sold. Especially since Lee has a recent history of signing documents without fully understanding them, due to her age and health.

-----------------
I read the name on the link and the masthead. When I think buzzkill I think unresearched reports, the kind that often think correlation = proven cause and report it as truth, not something in need of investigation. Often at least partially right, as often, partially wrong. Like gossip and scandal sheets, and reports where the feedback opinions of readers are as important as the original report.

If I am in error, please define it for me. English is my fourth language, and always translating in my head from languages with a different structure, I do not always explain clearly, just the best I can.

Do you mean BuzzFEED? That's not the publication that published the article. The article was published by Jezebel. Again, when I said "buzzkill," I meant, "The article published by Jezebel is a buzzkill because it puts a damper on what sounded like good news."

******************
Not as in the buzz, word on street, and negative kill, decrying something that is not right (ethical) or true. Okay, Thank you.

flutteringinfl

WhatawagSBNy said:

WhatawagSBNy said:

WhatawagSBNy said:

Books don't make money until great numbers sell, heck of a risk unless it really is at least halfway decent. Now auctioning a manuscript just for the name value, like a bad painting with a famous painter's signature, that would be instant money. Buzzkill is not such a reliable source, that I would not want to read it.

"Buzzkill" isn't the name of the publication, just the feeling the article evoked in me. I'm not sure what you're getting at here. Yes, Lee has enough name value that any book of hers would mean instant money for anyone involved, which is why it's suspicious that several months after her sister and lawyer passed away after years of refusing to sell the manuscript because Lee didn't want to, her new lawyer suddenly declares it's been sold. Especially since Lee has a recent history of signing documents without fully understanding them, due to her age and health.

----------------- I read the name on the link and the masthead. When I think buzzkill I think unresearched reports, the kind that often think correlation = proven cause and report it as truth, not something in need of investigation. Often at least partially right, as often, partially wrong. Like gossip and scandal sheets, and reports where the feedback opinions of readers are as important as the original report. If I am in error, please define it for me. English is my fourth language, and always translating in my head from languages with a different structure, I do not always explain clearly, just the best I can.

Do you mean BuzzFEED? That's not the publication that published the article. The article was published by Jezebel. Again, when I said "buzzkill," I meant, "The article published by Jezebel is a buzzkill because it puts a damper on what sounded like good news."

****************** Not as in the buzz, word on street, and negative kill, decrying something that is not right (ethical) or true. Okay, Thank you.

Yeah, "buzz" on its own means what you said, but "buzzkill" means something or someone that "kills" a good mood.

relliotts

WhatawagSBNy said:

I would hate to see her exploited. But if like many formerly famous people, she is facing a long possible life ahead in need of expensive care to keep her from ending up destitute, I would see making the best of what assets she has to be a good thing. The key would be to make sure, through oversight, that she is getting the majority of the profit, not a small fraction.

She is almost 90, has lived simply, and is still making profits from TKAMB which is one of the best selling novels of all time. I doubt she is close to destitute.

The "oversight" is entirely what is at issue here.  Her sister, who watched out for her best interests her whole life and was the one who ensured she was NOT taken advantage of, is now gone. Prior business partners have taken advantage of her in recent years by taking the rights to TKAMB for their own personal profit, as documented in legal proceedings. And now, suddenly, there's a new book on the market after a lifetime of insisting that she didn't want any of her other works published. I'd be interested to see the contract as it relates to that book - where does the money flow?  It's just all very strange. I hope that everything is above board and legitimate, but I'm not going to celebrate the publication of this novel until I know that is the case.

slothiegal

Urgh I'm so conflicted what with the controversy surrounding it, but if I put that aside for a moment....

OMIGAWD having a total fan girl moment.  I remember reading TKAM back in high school and it was one of the first books that honestly changed my life.  I went through a phase where I was DEAD SET on the fact that my first daughter WOULD be named Scout.  (She still might.  Or at least have it as a nickname.)  

WhatawagSBNy

@relliotts‌ :. I hope that everything is above board and legitimate, but I'm not going to celebrate the publication of this novel until I know that is the case.
*************
Yes.