New novel creates conversation

Harper+Lee+is+88+years+old.+Her+new+book%2C+%E2%80%9CGo+Set+a+Watchman%E2%80%9D+takes+place+20+years+later+than+%E2%80%9CTo+Kill+a+Mockingbird%E2%80%9D%2C+with+overlapping+themes+and+characters.+The+story+%E2%80%9CTo+Kill+a+Mockingbird%E2%80%9D+sold+more+than+40+million+copies+globally+since+it+was+first+published+in+1960.+Photo+Courtesy+of+MCT+Campus+

Harper Lee is 88 years old. Her new book, “Go Set a Watchman” takes place 20 years later than “To Kill a Mockingbird”, with overlapping themes and characters. The story “To Kill a Mockingbird” sold more than 40 million copies globally since it was first published in 1960. Photo Courtesy of MCT Campus

Remember the 10-inch thick book we all read in middle school that went by the name of “To Kill a Mockingbird” [TKAM]? Well, the author Harper Lee is set to release her first novel in over 50 years.

“To be completely honest, I probably wouldn’t read it. I only read ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ because I was forced to,” sophomore Clayton Bennett said.

    “Go Set a Watchman” is a said to be a continuation of TKAM set in the 50s.  Scout or Jean Louise Finch travels from New York back to her home of Maycomb, Alabama to visit her father, Atticus.

The book centers on Scout’s relationship with her father and how he views the world. It will feature a number of other Mockingbird characters.

“Even though ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ was a book I had to read because of school, I actually enjoyed it and I would like to know more about Scout’s life and about how the other characters turned out,” sophomore Sara Sotropa said.

Lee’s publisher announced the release of the recently discovered novel which was actually written first and inspired TKAM. The uncovered manuscript, “Go Set a Watchman” will be released this summer.

“My editor, who was taken by the flashbacks to Scout’s childhood, persuaded me to write a novel from the point of view of the young Scout. I was a first-time writer, so I did as I was told,” Lee told Rolling Stone.

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