Go Set A Watchman

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 9:36am

Anne Hathaway's going to play Scout in the movie version, right?

Anyone reading it?  I've just started.

[photopab]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 10:10am

"Anne Hathaway's going to play Scout in the movie version, right?
Anyone reading it?  I've just started."

Haven't started it yet but curious to see what you think... will hopefully start it this weekend.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 10:24am

I'm not expecting it to be "To Kill A Mockingbird."  But I am interested to see the world that Harper Lee creates.  I'm wondering if she was able to put more of herself into the role of Scout, small town girl leaves home, has experiences and then returns home and sees "home" from a different point of view.

 

[iluvtheatertrash]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 10:25am

I'm about 50 pages in. Reading slowly to savor it. 

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 10:31am

I was disappointed in a fact revealed in Chapter 1.  I'm hoping there's a reason for that later on.

[AEA AGMA SM]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 11:59am

"Anne Hathaway's going to play Scout in the movie version, right?
Anyone reading it?  I've just started."

 Since Scout is only 26 in this story, I believe, I assume that Jennifer Lawrence will be the immediate go to for the role over Anne Hathaway.

(And honestly I love them both, so unless it's a part they are totally 100% wrong for then I say cast them forever)

(And how long before somebody comes in to drag out the "It's going to be Meryl" "joke?" Anybody want to place bets?)

[photopab]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 2:58pm

"I was disappointed in a fact revealed in Chapter 1.  I'm hoping there's a reason for that later on."

 

My concern is why this book was being published now, after so many years, when Lee always made it clear she never wanted to publish another book. Lee is apparently partially blind and deaf and losing her memory so there were concerns her lawyers were just taking advantage of her.

 

Either way... it's difficult not to read this one given how much I loved TKAM growing up.

[PalJoey]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 3:10pm

I think this is the story she always wanted to tell about her father, but she held it back to protect the feelings of her late sister for their father, as well as the unprecedented feelings of so many millions of fans for Atticus.

I think she is feeling the sense of completion that would come to any author who had labored to complete a manuscript so many years ago. Her child is finally born!

I think the speculation that she is being taken advantage of by a conniving country real estate attorney and an evil corporate publisher is pure hogwash.

I hope the old gal is enjoying all the attention!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 3:26pm

My concern is why this book was being published now, after so many years, when Lee always made it clear she never wanted to publish another book.

Did she make it clear she never wanted to publish another book?  Or was her controlling sister trying to suppress any bad thoughts being said about their father?

I'm glad that this book was published now and hope that the royalties get to Ms. Lee rather than being published after her death when no royalties would go directly to her.

[Jay Lerner-Z]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 3:31pm

The state of Alabama investigated claims of exploitation, and found that Ms.Lee was fully competent, so I'm happy with that.

I plan on reading the book this weekend. I'm not expecting it to match To Kill A Mockingbird (is anyone?) - so I think anyone who reads it with their expectations adjusted accordingly will get on fine. "A pretty decent effort" is the author's own verdict, and that will be more than enough for me.

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 3:44pm

"The state of Alabama investigated"

That was the only time I ever felt Ms. Lee was in danger.

[photopab]

Posted: 7/16/15 at 4:08pm

I mean she's always said throughout her life that she would not release another book - the circumstances surrounding this books publishing are definitely a little suspect. But alas, I'm still going to read it... hopefully she hasn't been taken advantage of and hopefully she is thrilled to see how many people are excited to read it. I read it was the most pre-ordered book on Amazon since the last Harry Potter novel!

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/19/15 at 8:23pm

So, I've finished the book.  It's ok, but not great.  It's a bit too talky for me, not enough plot.

Some of the reviews are way off base and miss the point.  Atticus is not a racist.