Books - Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - Page 3

teainlondon · ‎03-09-2010

As an English teacher, I must read Go Set a Watchman. I have no expectations and will try desperately not to make judgement calls. Mockingbird is just too close to perfection so Watchman will be different.

I have read the stories of Miss Lee not even knowing about all the hype or even that this book has been released. It's probably better that she doesn't know since she did not want it published.

For my own information and for my students, I will read Watchman and be prepared to discuss it because my advanced seniors will surely question it.

Time will tell what the verdict is, so we shall see.

tea

Hooty · ‎03-09-2010

Annabelle, I really don't mean to sound ugly, but what is so special about "your friends" that are not happy with the release of this book??? I admit, Harper Lee did not release the book herself, but I just read that she told a friend of her's, that she is overwhelmed with the publicity!

That being said ........... as an Alabamian and the story and the author being from my state, the fictious town is based on the town Monroeville, AL! No, I am not happy that she is portraying Atticus as a racist, but you have to realize that this story was written before To Kill a Mockingbird, and therefore obviously changed her attitude towards her father!

I plan to read the book and voice my own opinion and not on the opinions of others!

Hooty · ‎03-09-2010

From our local news:

WHERE IS LEE?

Lee, also known as Nelle, is expected to spend the day as she usually does at the 15-person assisted-living facility where she is closely guarded and only a short list of pre-approved visitors are allowed to see her.

Wayne Flynt, a historian and author, said he visited her on Monday and handed her an inch-thick stack of news articles and printouts from around the world about the release of "Watchman."

"She chortled," Flynt told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "She's absolutely delighted. I think she's a bit overwhelmed."

While Lee's day is expected to be normal, "normal means monotonous and boring, except when you just took over the media of the entire world, in which case it's a lot more exciting," he said.

Flynt said he summarized some of the reviews to Lee, who is 89 and mostly deaf and blind.

"She is processing all of this with good humor and a little bit of understanding of how over the top it is," Flynt said.

lovescats · ‎03-10-2010

I don't see anything wrong in publishing it because most authors have books published that aren't their greatest works. And it has to be at least as good or better that a lot of junk that is published now. I have the audio book on waitlist

LoriLori · ‎03-12-2010

@smokymtngal wrote:
I'm going to read Go Set A Watchman for what it is. A first draft that became To Kill a Mockingbird. If Atticus is pictured differently it won't affect how I feel about something that has been a classic for over 50 years. It will be an interesting glimpse into the author's mind and how she turned Go Set a Watchman into To Kill A Mockingbird.

I think something we all tend to forget is that sometimes it's the editor who shapes the book so much that they are. in a way, creating it as much as the author. I am now convinced that is what happened with TKAM: A brilliant editor polished Nell Harper Lee's manuscript and in doing so was able to steer her into writing Atticus as the flawless hero (in Scout's eyes) we all love.

If I'm right, well done, editor. I will not read the new book but neither will I ever stop loving the original with all my heart, or change my opinion it is one of the two greatest American novels of all time.

smoky22 · ‎05-30-2010

@LoriLori wrote:

I think something we all tend to forget is that sometimes it's the editor who shapes the book so much that they are. in a way, creating it as much as the author. I am now convinced that is what happened with TKAM: A brilliant editor polished Nell Harper Lee's manuscript and in doing so was able to steer her into writing Atticus as the flawless hero (in Scout's eyes) we all love.

If I'm right, well done, editor. I will not read the new book but neither will I ever stop loving the original with all my heart, or change my opinion it is one of the two greatest American novels of all time.

Lori, welcome back. I think you were gone for a while. I agree with you, nothing will ever replace the original.

"everybody counts or nobody counts"

smoky22 · ‎05-30-2010

I'm not sure why I can't see my reply to Lori, but here it is again:

"Lori, welcome back. I think you were gone for a while. I agree with you that nothing can replace the original To Kill A Mockingbird."

I apologize if this is a repeat of my previous message. I can't see it.

"everybody counts or nobody counts"

Hooty · ‎03-09-2010

So Lori, let me get this straight .......... you are giving credit to the editor and not the author for writing to Kill a Mockingbird?????

Give me a break!!!!!

LoriLori · ‎03-12-2010

@smokymtngal wrote:
I'm not sure why I can't see my reply to Lori, but here it is again:

"Lori, welcome back. I think you were gone for a while. I agree with you that nothing can replace the original To Kill A Mockingbird."

I apologize if this is a repeat of my previous message. I can't see it.

Smoky, thanks so much. I missed my board buddies so much!

LoriLori · ‎03-12-2010

@Hooty wrote:
So Lori, let me get this straight .......... you are giving credit to the editor and not the author for writing to Kill a Mockingbird?????

Give me a break!!!!!

Hooty, I am giving credit to Nell Harper Lee for writing TKAM and to her editor for editing it.

I can't tell from your post if you know what a professional book editor does. They're not proofreaders.

It's their job to work with the author on behalf of the publisher or agent to polish the material until it is its shining best. This includes requesting complete rewrites, sometimes multiple ones, plot changes, characters additions or changes. As a new and powerless author Lee had to listen to what her editor told her to do, and yay for that.

The person who edited TKAM was a genius. She saw potential in an unpublished and unknown writer and did her job brilliantly to shepherd Nell Harper Lee's creation from its first draft ("Go Set a Wachman") into its brilliant final edition, "To Kill a Mockingbird."

Every book that is not self-published is a collaboration between editor and author. If you learn about editors and great literature you will learn many fascinating details about books we all love.

Even Shakespeare had an "editor": the Master of Revels, who had the power to order changes in anyone's plays. For more on that anyone interested can read about that here.