Go Set a Watchman
by Harper Lee
An adult Scout returns to Maycomb, Alabama, and must grapple with her father Atticus's views on race in this controversial novel, written before To Kill a Mockingbird.
Spoiler Warning
This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own discretion if you haven't finished the book yet.
A Complicated Return to Maycomb
Go Set a Watchman is one of the most controversial literary publications in recent memory. Written before but set after To Kill a Mockingbird, it presents a very different picture of Atticus Finch that many readers found devastating.
The Story
Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, now in her mid-twenties, returns to Maycomb from New York for a visit. What she discovers about her father's current views on race and the changing South forces her to reckon with her own beliefs and the pedestal on which she's placed him.
What Works
Adult Scout
Jean Louise's voice is distinctive and compelling. Seeing her as a grown woman navigating complex family dynamics is interesting.
Thematic Weight
The book grapples seriously with how we deal with discovering our parents are imperfect, and how idealization eventually crumbles.
Historical Context
As a document of its time - the civil rights era - the book offers perspective on white Southern thinking that, while uncomfortable, is valuable to understand.
Challenges
The Atticus Problem
For many readers, the Atticus of this book is irreconcilable with the hero of Mockingbird. This isn't a flaw per se, but it's the unavoidable context.
Rough Draft Feel
This was Lee's first novel, and it reads like one. The pacing is uneven, scenes meander, and the craft isn't as polished as Mockingbird.
Publication Controversy
Questions about Lee's consent and mental state when publication was approved cast a shadow over the book.
Final Thoughts
Go Set a Watchman is more historical artifact than literary triumph. It's worth reading for the insights it offers, but approach it understanding what it is: an early draft with a complicated legacy.
Rating: 3.0/5
Best for: Readers interested in Harper Lee's full body of work and willing to engage with difficult questions about beloved characters
You Might Also Like
A Gate at the Stairs
by Lorrie Moore
A coming-of-age story set in the Midwest after 9/11. Tassie Keltjin takes a job as a nanny and finds herself drawn into a complex family dynamic that challenges her understanding of race, identity, and belonging.
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
by Mark Twain
The great American novel follows Huck Finn and escaped slave Jim as they travel down the Mississippi River, exploring themes of race, freedom, and morality in antebellum America.
Song of Solomon
by Toni Morrison
A lyrical masterpiece following Macon "Milkman" Dead III as he journeys from Michigan to the South to uncover his family history, discovering the power of heritage and the meaning of flight.