LITERATURE: Harper Lee plans to release a sequel to her hit novel To Kill a Mockingbird.
By Miguel Toner, Staff Writer
After 55 years of waiting, readers around the world were excited to hear that cherished American author Harper Lee plans to publish her second book, Go Set a Watchman. Lee, now 88 years old, announced earlier this month that she intends to publish two million copies of the book this summer.
Go Set a Watchman is the sequel to Harper Lee’s first and only novel To Kill a Mockingbird. Her pioneering novel tells the story of a young girl named Scout who lives in Maycomb, Alabama with her wise father Atticus, next to the mysterious and elusive neighbor, Boo Radley. The book follows Scout as she experiences the racism of the South and the loss of innocence growing up. The basic plot of Go Set a Watchman will revolve around Scout coming back to Maycomb, Alabama after 20 years and dealing with the heated racism and segregation during the 1950s. It is speculated that it also has to do with the coming of the imminent civil rights movement in the South.
In a statement to the press, Lee explained that the plot for Go Set a Watchman was her idea for her original novel but was set aside because her editor felt the story should be written from the point of view of a child. Thus, To Kill a Mockingbird was written. The manuscript for Lee’s initial idea was forgotten but was recently revived.
While she has not been as reclusive as other authors, Lee has still maintained a life of privacy. However, she recently had a legal battle with a former agent’s son-in-law over his handling of the copyright of To Kill a Mockingbird but dropped the case after an agreement was reached. Lee also experienced a stroke in 2007 that left her allegedly blind and deaf, which sparked controversy on Lee’s agreement to publish the new book. Despite the controversy, in a statement made from Lee’s sister, Lee signed the contract willingly, reassuring worried readers. Whether the statement is true or not remains to be seen. Regardless, readers are excited to crack the spine of Harper Lee’s second novel.